Paxil

(paroxetine)

●●●●●
3.4/ 5 average rating with 694 reviewsforPaxil
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Improves mood and anxiety.

Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.

Our bottom line

Paxil (paroxetine) is effective for treating depression and anxiety, but causes more unwanted side-effects than other medicines that work like it.

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    $149.44
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    $52.92
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Quick facts about Paxil
  • Drug class: Mental health
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (paroxetine)

Upsides

  • Available in a cheaper, generic form.
  • Is convenient and can take once a day.
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What to expect from Paxil, on one page

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People’s experience with Paxil

694reviews so far. What do you think?

Downsides

  • More likely to decrease your sexual appetite and delay or prevent ejaculation than other antidepressants.
  • Like most antidepressants, Paxil (paroxetine) has a high risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior when used in children and adolescents.
  • May not be appropriate for you if you are elderly or suffer from dementia.
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What to expect from Paxil, on one page

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How it works

Paxil (paroxetine) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant. It increases serotonin activity in the brain, which helps regulate mood.

Quick facts about Paxil
  • Drug class: Mental health
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (paroxetine)

Used for

Dosage forms

  • Pill
  • Extended release pill
  • Liquid
People’s experience with Paxil

694reviews so far. What do you think?

Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Paxil (paroxetine) for Anxiety

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  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Possible side effects
  • Nausea
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Drowsiness
  • Decreased sexual appetite
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
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Side effect rates for Paxil (paroxetine)

From 764 clinical trials of Paxil when taken for anxiety
  • Abnormal ejaculation
    28%28%
    1%1%
  • Nausea
    25%25%
    7%7%
  • Weakness
    22%22%
    14%14%
  • Drowsiness
    22%22%
    5%5%
  • Difficulty sleeping
    21%21%
    16%16%
  • Decreased sexual appetite
    12%12%
    1%1%
  • Dizziness
    11%11%
    7%7%
  • Sweating
    9%9%
    2%2%
  • Dry mouth
    9%9%
    3%3%
  • Diarrhea
    9%9%
    6%6%
  • Tremor
    9%9%
    1%1%
  • Female genital disorder
    9%9%
    1%1%
  • Decreased appetite
    8%8%
    2%2%
  • Nervousness
    8%8%
    7%7%
  • Constipation
    5%5%
    2%2%
  • Anxiety
    5%5%
    4%4%
  • Yawning
    5%5%
    1%1%
  • Painful period
    5%5%
    4%4%
  • Impotence
    5%5%
    1%1%
  • Indigestion
    4%4%
    2%2%
  • Gas
    4%4%
    2%2%
  • Muscle pain
    4%4%
    3%3%
  • Impaired concentration
    4%4%
    1%1%
  • Throat inflammation
    4%4%
    2%2%
  • Abnormal vision
    4%4%
    1%1%
  • Trauma
    3%3%
    1%1%
  • Agitation
    3%3%
    1%1%
  • Vomiting
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Muscle twitching
    2%2%
    1%1%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Paxil.

Paxil (paroxetine)
Placebo

People taking Paxil felt side effect more

People taking Paxil felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Paxil (paroxetine)

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    • Higher risk if:
    • › Age 24 years or younger

    Paxil (paroxetine) may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior, especially if used in children or adolescents. Watch for worsening depression or any changes in your mood or behavior. Report anything concerning to your doctor immediately. Paxil (paroxetine) is not approved for use in children younger than age 18.

    This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.

Means that some groups have a high risk of experiencing this side effect

Pharmacist Q&A

Paxil (paroxetine) questions for

Frequently Asked Questions

This medication is treats generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Who is this drug for?

This medication is treats generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Common concerns from people taking Paxil (paroxetine)

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Price
  • Not worth it
    Worked so-so
    Big hassle
    Reviewed Paxilon 6/5/2017Extreme discontinuation syndrome, withdrawal, with tapering/stopping Paxil
    31
    Woman
    Two years or more
  • Not worth it
    Worked so-so
    Big hassle
    Reviewed Paxilon 1/6/2017The discontinuation syndrome was awful. "Zaps" throughout my body and nausea for months.
    31
    Woman
    Depression
Alcohol
  • Not worth it
    Didn’t work
    Big hassle
    Reviewed Paxilon 11/13/2016If you have any history of drug or alcohol abuse, you are likely to relapse, and make other horrible decisions, as this prescription distorts reality and makes you think nothing matters, or that there are no consequences for poor choices. By the time you try to come off it, the damage is done, and you will go through weeks of hell trying to wean yourself off because the withdrawal symptoms are horrendous. This drug is banned in many countries, for obvious reasons.
    36
    Woman
    Depression
Sex
  • Not worth it
    Worked so-so
    Big hassle
    Reviewed Paxilon 11/6/2015no ability to orgasm, horrible withdrawal after 1 day
    18
    Woman
    A few months
    Depression
Sleep
  • Not worth it
    Didn’t work
    Big hassle
    Reviewed Paxilon 9/3/2017That even when tapering off it slowly I could still get severe discontinuation syndrome. The constant drowsiness while taking it wasn't worth it. I got far more out of the psychotherapy.
    43
    Woman
    A few months
    Anxiety
  • Worth it
    Worked so-so
    Low hassle
    Reviewed Paxilon 8/13/2017Take it before bed to avoid drowsiness
    22
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Depression
  • Not sure
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Paxilon 7/19/201714+ years. Helps a lot with anxiety, have to take at night because it causes drowsiness. Very bad withdrawal. I probably don't need it anymore, but can't get off because of the withdrawal symptoms.
    33
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Anxiety
Weight
  • Worth it
    Worked so-so
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Paxilon 11/30/2016Unable to lose weight if trying so be aware before starting
    58
    Woman
    PTSD
  • Worth it
    Worked so-so
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Paxilon 4/24/2019It starts to work slowly. Weight gain and decreased sexual interest are hallmarks of this medication, which can be difficult to deal with. Overall numbness can be achieved if desired, but disconnect and fuzziness are also effects of this drug. Your mileage may vary.
    39
    Man
    Two years or more
    Depression
  • Not sure
    Worked so-so
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Paxilon 9/15/2017Been taking for 20+ years for depression. In that time I've been hospitalized 3x being suicidal. I did gain weight on it, but have since lost it. If you miss a dose you'll feel electric shocks, not pleasant. Causes drowsiness, constant napping, also blunts emotions and 'who cares'attitude. I'd like to get off it but I know withdrawal is difficult.
    47
    Man
    Two years or more
    Depression