Paxil side effects

Paxil or Paroxetine is an antidepressant drug which is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The drug has several benefits. It is used to treat major depression, panic, anxiety and other such mental problems chiefly. Since such mental disorders are complicated cases, the composition of the medicine is also not very simple and its effects aim at quick relief.

Paxil has a number of wide effects and the most important fact top know is that discontinuation of the drug shows signs of withdrawals and this in turn becomes very dangerous for the mental health of the patient. To benefit from the drug in a way that the possibilities of withdrawals are least, a number of precautions have to be undertaken.

A number of side effects are associated with Paxil. There are certain side effects that run common through few disorders. Such side effects are common. However, there are side effects of Paxil that are rare and often the consequences are harsh.

The common side effects of Paxil are as under:

• Diarrhea-  loose motions causing loss of fluids in the body
• Constipation- Discharge of had faeces painful to expel  
• Dizziness- problem in spatial perceptions or imaginations and steadiness
• Drowsiness- state of feeling abnormally sleepy
• Dryness of mouth-it is a painful physical state that may lead to dehydration, diabetes, allergies etc
• Headache- It is a symptom that is shared by many disorders and thus is a very common side effect.
• Decreased sexual ability-smoothness in sexual life is hampered due to genital problems etc.
• Increased sweating-This is a common side effect of many medicine where the rate of perspiration is abnormally high and often odorous.
• Nausea- uneasiness in the upper stomach that makes one feels puckish.
• Problems in urinating- difficulty in urinating in terms of its flow and discharge.
• Trembling or shaking- Weakness in the body causing tremors
• Vomiting-throwing up or forceful discharge of undigested food from the mouth due to indigestion. It can be a symptom to many underlying diseases.
• Trouble in sleeping- Rough sleep, frequent breaks in the sleep due to discomfort or uneasiness, nightmares, phobia etc.
• Unusual tiredness - a state of abnormal exhaustion

Unlike the common side effects Paxil shows many other side effects that are not quite common. They are as follows:

• Difficulty in vision, descending sexual wants, anxiety, burning sensations, change in appetite, change in sense of tastes, drastic weight or loss etc.
• Irritability, nervousness, erratic heart-beat, skin problems.
• Paxil causes certain typical side effects like reduced physical movements, difficulty with speech, terrible aches leading to difficulty in moving every part of the body like arms, legs, eyes and face.
• Convulsions and colored patches on the skin are also few rare side effects.
• Extreme expressions either abnormal excitement leading to trembling or uncontrollable recklessness or complete depression and sense of phobia on the other hand.
• Increased thirst, excessive talking etc.

It is very essential to know that beside the side effects that Paxil carry, it also carries other side effects that lead to withdrawal symptoms. Patients find it difficult to discontinue the drug and this gives rise to withdrawals of different kinds. Such withdrawal syndromes are as follows:

• Irritation
• Lack of decision-making capability
• Diarrhea
• Runny nose
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Muscle pain
• Difficulty in vision
• Related weaknesses

Paxil if consumed in excess can cause a number of side effects. While most of the effects are common, few are typical of the drug and thus doctor should be consulted immediately in case a patient reveals symptoms of overdose of Paxil.

The following are symptoms of overdose of the drug:

• Drying of mouth
• Dizziness
• Skin going red
• Irregular heart beat
• Trembling
• Enlarged pupils
• Vomiting etc

All the above side effects are potential threats to a patient suffering from depression. While the caregivers need to take care of the fact that Paxil is being consumed in proper quantity, he or she also needs to ensure that the dose is being rightly regulated by the doctor so that the patient does not stoop over the medicine. Discontinuation of the medicine often becomes difficult for patients and that is where the dose has to be brought down slowly in order to cure a patient.

Another issue to be taken care of is Paxil must not be consumed by women who are pregnant or women planning for a child. Paxil can cause birth defects and thus is not at all recommended to pregnant or nursing mothers. The drug should be used in a way that its benefits reach the patients and at the same time patients do not suffer from any kind of withdrawal symptoms.