updates

Why is Paxil prescribed?

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:04:29 +0100

Paxil is prescribed to treat many conditions. It is basically an antidepressant. It is one of the most prescribed antidepressants to date. It belongs to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This class of drugs works with the chemicals in the brain reducing the symptoms of depression and other mood disorder. Although there have been reported physical and emotional side effects of Paxil withdrawal, still, it is considered as a good treatment choice for the following:

Depression

Depression is a medical illness characterized by an intense feeling of sadness, medical researchers say. It is coupled with other symptoms such as, loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, sleeping problems, change in appetite, moodiness, low sex drive, suicidal thoughts, difficulty to focus on something and feelings of worthlessness.

Obssessive/ Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder in which people have thoughts and feelings, ideas, sensations or obsessions, compulsions and behavior that make them feel driven to do something. A person may have both obsessions and compulsions. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a disease that drives the individual to do something repeatedly.

Panic Attack

Panic attack is an anxiety disorder. It may occur randomly or following a situation that may provoke a panic attack. Signs of panic attacks include, palpitations, sweating, numbness, chills, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, fear of dying, hot flashes, faintness, abdominal distress and feeling of emotional detachment.

Uncontrolled Anxiety

Paxil is used to treat anxiety in general. It is a condition marked by excessive worry that lasts for more than six months. Symptoms are restlessness, fatigue, difficulty focusing, irritability, sleeping problems and muscle tension.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is also known as social phobia. It is an anxiety disorder marked by an excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations. It usually arises from a fear of being closely watched, judged and criticized by others.

Post-traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder is also known as shell shock or battle fatigue syndrome. It may develop after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic or terrifying event. PTSD is a lasting effect of traumatic experience that resulted to an intense horror, helplessness or fear. A person may experience PTSD after an accident, unexpected death of a loved one, physical assault, war or natural calamities.

People who had a traumatic experience may be shocked, angry, nervous, afraid and guilty. Normally, these feelings would not linger that long for most people but for people with PTSD, these feelings would go on and become more intense. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, deep stress, and loss of interest in life, sleeping problems, and difficulty in focusing.

The antidepressant Paxil is usually prescribed to treat the abovementioned mental or mood disorders despite reports of Paxil side effects. The reported link of Paxil to many adverse effects has not yet been duly established. The FDA upholds that the benefits of Paxil in treating depression and other mood disorders outweigh the risks.

URL References:

drugs.com/paxil.html
paxilfacts.org/
webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-social-anxiety-disorder
fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/DrugSafetyInformationforHeathcareProfessionals/PublicHealthAdvisories/ucm0533

Paxil Precautions

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:06:22 +0100

Paxil, whose generic name is paroxetine, is an antidepressant belonging to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).Paxil affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced. The medications in the group that Paxil is also included in are used to treat a variety of conditions, including depression and other mental mood disorders. All of the medications in the SSRI group can give several important benefits such as helping prevent suicidal thoughts/attempts. Many women have used Paxil because of the depression caused by pre-existing high blood pressure during pregnancy.

If a patient wants to start using Paxil, they should inform their doctor of the following important medical history: personal or family history of bipolar/manic-depressive disorder, personal or family history of suicide attempts, liver problems, kidney problems, low sodium in the blood, severe loss of body water (dehydration), seizures, stomach/intestinal ulcers, glaucoma (narrow-angle type).

Since the elderly may be more sensitive to Paxil’s effects they should proceed using the drug with caution. These elderly patients on Paxil are likely to lose too much salt (hyponatremia), especially if they are also taking "water pills" (diuretics) with this medication.

Paxil may also affect your ability to perform complex tasks requiring mental and motor skills. Because of this it is not recommend that you involve yourself in activities requiring mental or motor concentration (such as driving a car or operating machinery), that is until you get used to the effects of Paxil. The effect of drowsiness can be increased if you take Paxil in combination with alcohol or other medications.

Paxil has been categorized as a category class D medication when it comes to pregnancy. This means that Paxil may cause harm to an unborn baby if it is used during pregnancy. In particular, there is evidence that Paxil taken during early pregnancy can increase the risk of heart problems in babies. Also, babies born to mothers who have used this drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy may infrequently develop withdrawal symptoms such as feeding/breathing difficulties, seizures, muscle stiffness, or constant crying. If any mother notices any of these symptoms in their newborn, consult a doctor as soon as possible.

If you are planning on starting Paxil for your depression then you should know what possible side effects the drug can cause, like Paxil birth defects, consult with your doctor for more information.

URL references:

- depression.emedtv.com/paxil-cr/paxil-cr-warnings-and-precautions-p2.html

- medicinenet.com/paroxetine-oral/article.htm

Warnings Suggest that Paxil May Not be the Best Treatment for Depression

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 22:01:36 +0100

British Medical Journal (BMJ) published a data analysis suggesting that antidepressant drugs may offer the best treatment for generalized depression disorder. On the other hand, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics recent issue contained a newer data analysis suggesting that BMJ is “faulty and biased by conflict of interest.” With this recent data plus previous medical reports and clinical findings, you should consider that antidepressants like Paxil may not be best for treatment of anxiety.

Furthermore, another article suggested the faulty analysis of BMJ, the website Medical News Today said that BMJ clinical tests were not properly conducted. The researchers did not amply justified their outcome measures. These publications further claim that BMJ analysis failed in accomplishing the accuracy of its subject categorization which affected the different characteristics of trials.

Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics further alleged that BMJ researchers had ties to some pharmaceutical companies when the study was still ongoing.

The publication of BMJ article is called for a reassessment of journal policies concerned with reviews, editorial and meta-analysis.

Before Taking Paxil, One Should Consider its Warnings

Paxil belongs to a group of medicine referred as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is responsible for balancing the body’s serotonin. Serotonin is a body hormone that manipulates the overall sense of our welfare or happiness. It regulates mood, moderates anxiety and alleviates depression. In simpler terms, Paxil is an antidepressant drug.

Clinical findings including reports from its users associate Paxil with many serious side effects. Some are even life-altering such as birth defects, psychosis, suicide, atypical mood changes, eating and sleeping disorders.

Several warnings have been released by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concerning antidepressant intakes like Paxil.

In December 2005, FDA warned that taking Paxil may lead to your child’s birth defects such as heart malformation, especially when a woman takes it during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Moreover, in March 2006, FDA mandated GlaxoSmithKline to explicitly warn doctors and patients that antidepressants like Paxil increases the risks of suicide.

Numerous studies and clinical findings from various universities and institutions also warns the public regarding the increased rate of unpleasant outcomes of taking antidepressants like insomnia, agitation, panic attacks, hostility, hallucinations, self-harm and violence.

To evade from any unfortunate incidents, the public should give attention and importance to these medical warnings and reviews.

Seek Other Options for Treating Anxiety

If you are experiencing any abnormal changes in your mind and body while on Paxil, immediately report to your doctor. An alternative therapy may be suggested by him/her to treat your depression. Know that its manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline is currently facing numerous Paxil Lawsuit filed by its victimized users. To find out if you are qualified for compensation from the company, seek legal aid.

References:

tricitypsychology.com/antidepressant-drugs-may-offer-the-best-treatment-for-generalized-anxiety-

disorder/

health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/heart/articles/2011/08/03/popular-antidepressants-not-

always-best-choice-for-seniors

scientologyagainstdrugs.wordpress.com/category/side-effects-of-antidepressants-ssris/

injury-law.freeadvice.com/injury-law/drug-toxic_chemicals/paxil-warning.htm

health.msn.com/health-topics/warning-on-paxil

Paxil May Cause Skin Disorders

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:10:24 +0100

Paxil is a prescription drug made by GlaxoSmithKline created to help fight the symptoms of depression, anxiety disorders, and some personality disorders. A member of a group of drugs called Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Paxil shares several similarities to drugs in this group.

There are reports that Paxil intake can lead to potential side effects, these side effects are known to include dermatological problems such as: Acne, alopecia (absence of hair from the body where it is normally present), dry skin, ecchymosis (blood under the skin, usually looks or appears like a bruise), eczema (an inflammatory skin disease characterized by lesions varying greatly in character, at times watery discharge and the development of scales and crust), furunculosis (a number of painful nodules formed in the skin, caused by bacteria, which enter through the hair follicles or glands, its formation is favored by digestive derangement and local irritation), herpes simplex, urticaria (reaction of the skin to certain drugs, marked by the appearance of smooth, slightly elevated patches, which are redder or paler than the surrounding skin and often includes severe itching).

Since Paxil is a member of the SSRI group of drugs, some patients on Paxil may also feel similar withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop using Paxil. Paxil has not been known to be additive in the sense of normal medical terms, test show that lab animals placed on Paxil do not seek the drug nor crave for increase of dosage, but discontinuing the use of Paxil can produce both somatic and psychological symptoms. Several of the withdrawal symptoms of the sudden stopping of Paxil may include: Sexual dysfunction (loss of libido, genital anesthesia, erectile dysfunction), agitation, anxiety, akathisia, panic attacks, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, worsening of mood, dysphoria, crying spells or mood lability, overactivity or hyperactivity,depersonalization, decreased concentration, slowed thinking, confusion and memory/concentration difficulties.

Paxil SSRI antidepressants are drugs that are best known for the way they help people with their symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, like other members of the SSRI group, Paxil has its own array of negative side effects. If you are beginning to show any signs of any of the adverse side effects that Paxil can cause it is important that you consult with your doctor as soon as you can.