Paxil
(paroxetine)
Improves mood and anxiety.
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.
- Price before coupon$179.93
- Lowest price with coupon$21.5088% savings
- 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.
What to expect from Paxil, on one page
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.
What to expect from Paxil, on one page
Paxil (paroxetine) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant. It increases serotonin activity in the brain, which helps regulate mood.
- Drug class: Mental health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (paroxetine)
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release pill
- Liquid
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Pay as low as$43.09Retail priceRetail priceLearn more
- Kroger PharmacyGet free coupon$21.50
- Get free coupon$29.80
- AlbertsonsGet free coupon$29.80
What to expect when you take Paxil (paroxetine) for Anxiety
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Nausea
- Difficulty sleeping
- Drowsiness
- Decreased sexual appetite
- Dizziness
- Weakness
It can take time for a drug to start working, or for some side effects to go away.
Source: FDA product label and Iodine pharmacistsSide effect rates for Paxil (paroxetine)
- Abnormal ejaculation28%28%1%1%
- Nausea25%25%7%7%
- Weakness22%22%14%14%
- Drowsiness22%22%5%5%
- Difficulty sleeping21%21%16%16%
- Decreased sexual appetite12%12%1%1%
- Dizziness11%11%7%7%
- Sweating9%9%2%2%
- Dry mouth9%9%3%3%
- Diarrhea9%9%6%6%
- Tremor9%9%1%1%
- Female genital disorder9%9%1%1%
- Decreased appetite8%8%2%2%
- Nervousness8%8%7%7%
- Constipation5%5%2%2%
- Anxiety5%5%4%4%
- Yawning5%5%1%1%
- Painful period5%5%4%4%
- Impotence5%5%1%1%
- Indigestion4%4%2%2%
- Gas4%4%2%2%
- Muscle pain4%4%3%3%
- Impaired concentration4%4%1%1%
- Throat inflammation4%4%2%2%
- Abnormal vision4%4%1%1%
- Trauma3%3%1%1%
- Agitation3%3%1%1%
- Vomiting2%2%1%1%
- Muscle twitching2%2%1%1%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Paxil.
People taking Paxil felt side effect more
People taking Paxil felt side effect less
Manufacturers don’t say how common these side effects are when taking Paxil for anxiety
- Stomach pain
- Chest pain
- Back pain
- Chills
- Widening of blood vessels
- Fast heart beat
- Rash
- Increased appetite
- Abnormal dreams
- Depersonalization
- Memory loss
- Stuffy nose
- Change in taste
- Changes in urinary frequency
- Difficulty with urination
- Urinary Tract Infection
Risks and Warnings for Paxil (paroxetine)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- 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.
Pharmacist Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this drug for?
This medication is treats generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).Common concerns from people taking Paxil (paroxetine)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed Paxilon 6/5/2017Extreme discontinuation syndrome, withdrawal, with tapering/stopping Paxil31WomanTwo years or more
- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed Paxilon 1/6/2017The discontinuation syndrome was awful. "Zaps" throughout my body and nausea for months.31WomanDepression
- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed 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.36WomanDepression
- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed Paxilon 11/6/2015no ability to orgasm, horrible withdrawal after 1 day18WomanA few monthsDepression
- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed 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.43WomanA few monthsAnxiety
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed Paxilon 8/13/2017Take it before bed to avoid drowsiness22WomanTwo years or moreDepression
- Not sureSome hassleReviewed 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.33WomanTwo years or moreAnxiety
- Worth itSome hassleReviewed Paxilon 11/30/2016Unable to lose weight if trying so be aware before starting58WomanPTSD
- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed Paxilon 5/9/2020It makes you gain weight46WomanA few monthsDepression
- Not sureSome hassleReviewed Paxilon 10/13/2017Level of dependency, weight gain71WomanTwo years or moreAnxiety