Paxil/Paxil CR

[Swede]

Anyone with questions concerning these two commonly prescribed SSRI's please feel free to ask. The start up side effects are usually a bit unnerving!

Swede

[joanrdtobe]

Been on MANY SSRI's in my day....never on this one to my knowledge...But will probably see some patients at some point on it...Does it tend to increase/decrease appetite??? Cause weight gain/loss?

Used primarily to treat depression?? Any other diagnoses used for?

[Swede]

Actually Paxil or the controlled release version Paxil CR are the most sedating of the SSRI's. Unfortunately it does tend to increase appetite a bit and you need to know that going in. The first 4 weeks you usually experienced a DECREASED appetite along with fatigue but the munchies come back...especially for sweets. Again, knowing that this is a side effect of paxil (the hunger) enables you to manage the side effect. Paxil has a good many start-up SE's but to the plus side it is the only med approved for SAD, GAD, OCD, Depression and Anxiety. Its sedating quality (it won't knock you out!) make it good for anxiety in particular.

Good luck and God bless

Swede

[joanrdtobe]

I never knew there was actually a med approved to treat SAD....neither did any of my doctors apparently.....

That diagnosis, with living in Boston winters until I was thirty, was pretty much at the forefront of my depression....But we just treated the depression, not the SAD in particular.....

Hmmmm, interesting, thanks....

[Swede]

Were you thinking of SAD as Seasonal Affective Disorder or Situational Anxiety Disorder. The latter is the one that paxil works with. I live in Pittsburgh and believe me Seasonal Affective Disorder rules the lifestyle. For that, lightboxes or strong illumionation in general are the prescription.

Swede

[sleepzalot]

I was prescribed it, but after seeing it banned in france and england; I decided to pass and try something else.

sleepz

[joanrdtobe]

Originally posted by Swede
Were you thinking of SAD as Seasonal Affective Disorder or Situational Anxiety Disorder. The latter is the one that paxil works with. I live in Pittsburgh and believe me Seasonal Affective Disorder rules the lifestyle. For that, lightboxes or strong illumionation in general are the prescription.

Swede

SAD as seasonal affective disorder....never heard of situational anxiety disorder....only GAD......didn't know there was situational type...

Yes can understand how in Pittsburgh seasonal affective would rule lifestyle....it did in Boston for me....the only thing was that not only the gray and dark made me depressed but the COLD did as well....so Florida has helped....not perfectly but better.....and then when I made decision as to where to go to school, I chose California....but it's nice to be back in Florida....


Sleepz said it was banned in France and England....why would that be so?

[Swede]

Joan...I mis-typed. SAD is also known as SOCIAL anxiety Disorder...not situational. (social/situational...I was close!)

Sleepz...As I moderate a Paxil forum, I am not aware that it is banned in France or England. In fact, the manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline is a British company. What you may have confused this with is the faact that recently (few months ago) Paxil was withdrawn for use by children & teens under age 18. It is a volitile issue as many who try paxil quit early on due to side effects which are no fun. There are tons of lawsuits out there (as there are for all the psychotropic drugs) and a body of paxil haters. I am certain there are an equal number of Strattera or concerta & ritilin haters around as well as class action lawsuits.

[Canuck]

I was on paxil for a couple of months back in '99, when I thought. my problems were due to anxiety. At low dose, I fetlt nothing but at a higher dose I just felt drowsy and sleepy all the time. Didn't feel any benefits whatsoever.

[theo]

If you are going to start Paxil, is either version (regular versus CR) have any benefit over the other for social anxiety?

[charlie]

Hi Swede,
A co-worker is taking this

and my family ALWAYS makes a joke about it being exactly what I NEED
I hear, "every time I see this commercial I think of YOU"

since I'm happy in being a hermit (could this be Situational Anxiety Disorder?) and I've yet to admit that I'm on any meds or even seeing a pDoc I just laugh.

so I'm interested in a backup reason why I'm not taking this RX what are some of the side affects other than drowsiness and weight gain?