Paxil Cr

Paroxetine Extended Release tablet

What is it used for?

PAROXETINE is used for the treatment of depression. It may also be used to treat anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic attacks, post traumatic stress, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

What should I discuss with my physician prior to taking this medicine?

Please do tell your physician if you have any of the following conditions:

• bipolar disorder or a family history of bipolar disorder
• heart disease
• kidney or liver diseases
• receiving electroconvulsive therapy
• seizures (convulsions)
• suicidal thoughts or a previous suicide attempt
• an unusual or allergic reaction to paroxetine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How is this medicine should be taken?

Take it orally accompanied with a glass of water. It can be taken with or without food. Do not crush or chew this medicine. This medicine should be taken at the regular intervals. You should never take this medicine more often than prescribed. You shouldn’t stop the treatment course unless your physician specifically advised you to do so.

Contact your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine by children. Special care might be necessary.

Overdosage: If you suspect an overdosage, get in touch with the nearest poison control center or emergency room immediately.

NOTE: This medicine is only intended for your use. You should never share it with the others.

What to do if I missed a dose?

If you missed a dose, it should be taken as soon as possible. If the time has almost come for the next dose, only that one should be taken. You should never take double or extra doses; a single doze is sufficient for the purposes.

What are the possible interactions with the other medicine/food/etc?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following:

• antacids
• certain diet drugs like dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, phentermine
• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
• medicines similar to paroxetine like fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram
• phenothiazines like thioridazine
• pimozide
• procarbazine
• St. John's wort
• tryptophan

This medicine may also interact with the following:

• aspirin and aspirin-like drugs
• cimetidine
• digoxin
• fosamprenavir
• linezolid
• medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
• medicines for migraine headache like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan
• medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, enoxaparin, and dalteparin
• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• phenobarbital
• phenytoin
• procyclidine
• ritonavir
• theophylline

This list is not all-inclusive and may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements that you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some of those items may also interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while taking this medicine?

Pay regular visits to your doctor or health care professional to undergo checks on your progress. Continue to take your medicine even if you do not immediately feel better. It can take several weeks before you feel the full effect of this medicine.

Patients and their families should pay attention to the depression or suicidal thoughts that get worse. You should also keep an eye on the sudden or severe feeling changes such as anxiety, agitation, feeling panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or having trouble sleeping. If this is happening, especially during the beginning of the treatment course or after a dosage change, inform your health care professional right away.

If you have been using this medicine regularly for some time period, you should never stop using it abruptly. You must gradually reduce the dose or your symptoms may get worse. Consult with your physician for more information on the issue.

You may experience drowsiness or dizziness symptoms. You shouldn’t drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how exactly this medicine affects you. Do not stand up or sit up quickly, especially if you are a senior patient. This is to reduce the risk of possible dizziness or fainting spells. Alcohol can increase or decrease the effects of this medicine. Refrain from using alcohol at all costs.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds or allergies without asking your doctor or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients used in those medications can increase possible side effects for this drug.

Your might experience dry mouth symptom. If you do, chew sugarless gum or suck a sugar candy. Drinking plenty of water will also help to overcome it.

Does this medicine have any possible side effects?

The following side effects should be reported to your doctor or health care professional as soon as they are noticed:

• allergic reactions like skin rashes, itching or hives,face, lips, or tongue swelling
• black or bloody stools, blood in the urine or vomit
• fast irregular heartbeat
• hallucination, loss of contact with reality
• painful or prolonged erection (men)
• seizures
• suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual weakness or feeling tired
• vomiting

The below side effects usually do not necessarily require any medical attention (please do report them to your physician if they are recurrent or bothersome):

• change in appetite, weight
• change in sex drive or performance
• constipation or diarrhea
• difficulty sleeping
• drowsy
• headache
• increased sweating
• muscle pain or weakness
• tremors

Other side effects are also possible, the above list is not all inclusive.

Where should I store it?

Keep this medicine out of the children’s reach.

Store it at 25 degrees C  (77 degrees F) or below. Dispose of any unused medicine after the expiry date is reached.