What is Paroxetine? Uses, warnings & side effects

Follow all the prescriber’s instructions.

• The dose may need to be changed several times to find the most effective dose.

Please read the Medication Guide that comes with the medicine.

Take only one dose daily with or without food.

• Doses are usually taken in the morning.

• Paroxetine capsules are taken at night.

Swallow the tablet or capsule whole with a drink of water. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

Shake the oral suspension well before measuring a dose.

• Use the calibrated oral syringe provided with the medicine to measure doses. Do not use kitchen measuring devices or tableware.

Store paroxetine in a closed container at room temperature.

• Protect paroxetine capsules from moisture and light.

Discuss how to manage missed doses with the prescriber.

If it’s a morning dose, prescribers may recommend taking the missed dose if it’s remembered later in the day.

• If it’s the next day, do not take the missed dose.

If it’s an evening dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember.

• Do not take the missed dose if it’s almost time for the next dose.

Take the next dose at its regular time (morning or evening).

Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to paroxetine.

Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Your doctor may need to perform lab tests regularly to monitor your progress and the effects of the medicine. Keep all appointments.

It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant.

Before starting paroxetine, tell the prescriber if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you have:

• Kidney problems

• Liver problems

• Heart problems

• Bleeding problems

• Bone problems

• Glaucoma

• A diagnosis of narrow angles in the eyes

• A history of seizures or convulsions

• Low sodium

• Bipolar disorder

• A history or family history of bipolar disorder, mania, hypomania, other mental health disorders, or suicide attempts.

For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine may increase mental or emotional problems. This may lead to thoughts of suicide and violence. 

• Talk with the prescriber right away about changes in thoughts or behavior that concern you. 

Paroxetine can cause serious problems, including:

• Serotonin syndrome (a complication of taking multiple drugs like paroxetine)

• Low sodium levels in the blood

• Abnormal bleeding

• Increased risk of broken bones

• Increased risk of manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder

• Narrow-angle glaucoma

• Sexual dysfunction

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. The prescriber will need to slowly decrease the dose before treatment can stop.

Paroxetine should never be taken with:

• Monamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): do not take paroxetine and an MAOI within 14 days of each other

• The antipsychotic drugs pimozide and thioridazine

To avoid other potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements regularly used, particularly:

• Other antidepressants

• Drugs that treat other mental health conditions, including anxiety, mood, psychosis, or bipolar disorder

• Amphetamines

• Drugs that treat irregular heart rhythms

• Drugs that make you urinate (diuretics)

• Drugs that slow down blood clotting (blood thinners)

• Migraine treatments called triptans

• NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen

• Opioids

• Desipramine, dextromethorphan, flecainide, fosamprenavir/ritonavir, metoprolol, nebivolol, perphenazine, propafenone, tamoxifen, tolterodine

• St. John’s wort or tryptophan supplements

Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

Avoid drinking alcohol when taking paroxetine.