Paxil Side Effects

Paxil, or paroxetine hydrochloride, is a psychotropic medication that is prescribed for a variety of social anxiety disorders, which may or may not result in some potentially negative paroxetine side effects. Because this antidepressant medication is prescribed in the treatment of many types of social anxiety disorders, the side effects of Paxil can often be somewhat difficult to notice at first.

The more common psychological disorders that are related to the prescribing of Paxil by a medical healthcare professional include chronic or clinical depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress syndrome, panic attacks, and premenstrual dysphonic disorder. Most of these disorders of the mind sometimes create symptoms similar to the associated paroxetine side effects that are known to result from Paxil consumption. For these reasons, a prescribing physician often closely monitors the patient while on this medical treatment program.

One of the wonderful positive traits of antidepressant is that the dosage can easily be increased or decreased in order to compensate for these potential negative side effects of Paxil. The standard dosage will typically begin with 20 mg but can be increased to 50 mg in more severe cases. If the dosage is too high and the patient begins to exhibit some of these paroxetine side effects, the medication prescriber can simply reduce the dosage almost instantly without causing further harm to the patient.

Like many other types of psychotropic medications, the side effects of Paxil can be cause for concern and should always be clearly and immediately communicated to the prescribing physician in all cases. Some of the more common paroxetine side effects include:

• Loss of Libido or Sexual Desire
• Vomiting or Nausea
• Insomnia or Restlessness
• Drowsiness or Lethargy
• Irritability or Moodiness
• Anxiety or Nervousness
• Fatigue or Weakness
• Diarrhea or Constipation
• Reoccurring Headaches
• Dry Mouth Syndrome

Some of the side effects of Paxil can be extremely serious and require immediate medical attention.

• Confusion and Disorientation
• Increased Heart Rates
• Fainting Spells
• Seizures or Convulsions
• Hallucinations
• Balance and Coordination Issues
• Thoughts of Suicide

Paxil and Pregnancy: Paxil Birth Defects

Women who are pregnant should not ingest Paxil, especially during the first three months of pregnancy. Possible paroxetine side effects can result in the newborn, including:

• Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension
• Miscarriage
• Heart Defects
• Cleft Palate or Cleft Lip
• Spina Bifida
• Club Feet
• Premature Birth
• Omphalocele
• Delayed physical and mental development

See also: Does Paxil Cause Weight Gain?