PAXIL Reviews (PAROXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE)Average Rating: 2.9 (1022 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare PAXIL with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by Date added. Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 |
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR PAXIL | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 1 | anxiety/panic attacks | racing thoughts, weight gain, depression/suicidal thoughts, headache and after about 2 months brain zaps. The worst were the night TERRORS and skin boils. | I read all the warnings about stopping this drug when my doc said "there may be side affects if you stop using it" Always a big sign that the doctors know the problems. I attempted suicide 3 times and they found my liver enzymes to be over 6000 (less than 300 is normal}.Each attempt the hospital put me back on paxil. I finally went to stay with a friend to go cold turkey. It was the worst 4 MONTHS of withdrawal (?) I ever experienced. I wanted to die. Slowly the boils began to heal (3 were removed surgically) and I began to be able to carry on conversations and stay awake longer and longer. Doctors get MONEY and GIFTS when they prescribe drugs like these. They have NO incentive ti tell you the side affects, even if they could kill you. Its been 2 years since I stopped taking paxil and the side affects are still lurking. My liver will never be the same and I still fear going to sleep. Beware of this drug, you have a right to know what it can do to you. | F | 45 | 2 days | 11/4/2006 | 2 | Anxiety | Lethargy and weight gain. The loss of anxiety can lead to an attitude of not caring about doing much of anything. Paxil was very helpful for the first several months, but now I want to get off it. I'm very tired most of the time, even though I sleep more than I did before. I could sleep all night and day now, which is wonderful at first after a lifetime of anxiety, but now I want my energy back and do things again. | I've been on it for about 2 years. I would have recommended it a year ago, but not any more. I've gained a ton of weight. I lost my job... it helped in the beginning with social anxiety at work, calmed me down so I could be more productive, but then made things worse by becoming lazy and not caring about stuff. In the beginning it helped with social anxiety, but now I am LESS sociable than I was before. Some anxiety is good, but I don't have any! I want some again...it motivates me. I'm going to quit this after I speak with my doc. in a week or so. | M | 48 | 2 years | 10/21/2006 | 1 | Obsessive Compulsive Disorder | terrible nightmares, sleepiness, drowsiness, not being able to speak when i was tired, being so tired that i HAD to go to sleep the very second I got tired, seizure- which caused a car accident, EEG's, and an MRI, only to find out that it was the paxil that caused my seizure and car accident, feeling as though i'm being electricuted, no sex drive... the list goes on and on and on and on... | paxil is THE WORST DRUG ever made. you might as well be on heroine! DO NOT take paxil! it has made my life a living hell for the passed year and a half now. | F | 18 | 1 days | 10/20/2006 | 5 | Depression and anxiety | On Paxil: constipation, short term memory issues, occasional neck muscle tic. Getting off Paxil: severe headaches, vertigo, nausea, dizziness, paresthesias in lips and hands, loss of balance. | I went on Paxil over 7 years ago for suicidal thoughts and depression. I swear it saved me. In combination with clonazepam for anxiety, it was a life-saver. The ONLY reason I wanted to get off of it, was if I were to want to get pregnant. My only successful attempt to get off (after 7 years) was with the help of Prozac. I still had the withdrawal symptoms, but they weren't as bad with the addition of Prozac. Now I find that Prozac gives me its rare side effects and I have to get off that now. If only Paxil didn't have such horrible withdrawal effects!!! It works/worked for me and I may even go back on it. Rather than try the "drug dance" of seeing what works and what doesn't, I am lucky to have found that Paxil worked for me. Some of us might just need more serotonin in our brains to function. Diabetics need insulin, those with high blood pressure need blood pressure meds, etc. It isn't a crime to need a medication to function and be happy in life. | F | 37 | 7.5 years | 10/6/2006 | 1 | Racing thoughts, ocd, anxiety | Put on SSRIs after death of father, prior history of depression/aniexty. Switched to paxil after lexapro (brusing, isomnia), celexa (sleepwalking, sleepiness, no emotion). Was weaned off celexa prior to start (minor side effects). On 10 mg had extreme agitation/anger/rage + insomnia after 3 days treatment. After 1 week, smashed finger with hammer w/ complete detachment, didn't even feel the pain. | SSRIs are not for me... pay attention to your behavior and how you treat others. | F | 31 | 7 days | 10/2/2006 | 5 | Depression and Anxiety | I gained quite a bit of wieght with no increase in appetite. I gained about 50 lbs while on the medicine. I didnt have any other side effects but the weight gain was too much. | I just went to the doctor two days ago to get myself off of it. I was scared to death to get off of it because of all the stuff I read on the web. I told the doctor of my concern and he didnt seem to be worried as much as I was. He put me on the following plan. 1/2 a tablet (10 mg) once a day for one week; 1/2 a tablet once every two days for one week; 1/2 a tablet once every three days for one week. He seemed to think this would get me off of it successfully. I am on my second day with no adverse effects. If you want to know how it is going email me. | M | 23 | 3 years | 9/29/2006 | 5 | Depression and Anxiety | I gained quite a bit of wieght with no increase in appetite. I gained about 50 lbs while on the medicine. I didnt have any other side effects but the weight gain was too much. | I just went to the doctor two days ago to get myself off of it. I was scared to death to get off of it because of all the stuff I read on the web. I told the doctor of my concern and he didnt seem to be worried as much as I was. He put me on the following plan. 1/2 a tablet (10 mg) once a day for one week; 1/2 a tablet once every two days for one week; 1/2 a tablet once every three days for one week. He seemed to think this would get me off of it successfully. I am on my second day with no adverse effects. If you want to know how it is going email me. | M | 23 | 3 years | 9/29/2006 | 5 | Depression and Anxiety | I gained quite a bit of wieght with no increase in appetite. I gained about 50 lbs while on the medicine. I didnt have any other side effects but the weight gain was too much. | I just went to the doctor two days ago to get myself off of it. I was scared to death to get off of it because of all the stuff I read on the web. I told the doctor of my concern and he didnt seem to be worried as much as I was. He put me on the following plan. 1/2 a tablet (10 mg) once a day for one week; 1/2 a tablet once every two days for one week; 1/2 a tablet once every three days for one week. He seemed to think this would get me off of it successfully. I am on my second day with no adverse effects. If you want to know how it is going email me. | M | 23 | 3 years | 9/29/2006 | 3 | Panic insomnia depression | Severe hair loss also at small doses (5mg). | Good drug for me, with few side effects (i used the drop formula available in Italy) so I started at very low dosage.But I had to stop for severe hair loss at 5mg.However also at this small dosage I began to have improvement in my anxiety/panic/insomnia.But hair fall was too much! | M | 28 | 20 days | 9/29/2006 | 5 | panic attacks and fibromyalgia | a lot of weight gain without increased appetite (60 pounds in a year). Very tired in higher doses. | It worked great but damn, 60 pounds! My panic attacks went away and I stopped having anticipitory anxiety as well! My migraines got better and my fibro didn't bother me as much. I've tried them all and I'm very sensitive to medications. I've even ended up in the ER from SSRI's just in the first few days from the side effects, but Paxil was started on a very low dose for me. We went with liquid Paxil and I started with 1 ML for 2 months, then went to 2 ML for 4 months. Then we got me to 5ML that is equal to 10mg. and I had theraputic results, that's how sensitive I am. But, the weight gain made me insane so I stopped the meds in May 06, and the panic is back (Sept 06 now) so I might have to take it again but being FAT isn't healthy either! Right now we're talking about Cymbalta but they don't make Cymbalta in liquid or in a dose smaller than 20mg, so we'll see, but Paxil did help me a lot. | F | 47 | 2 years | 9/27/2006 | 4 | Agorphobia/Social anxiety/Depressio | Hot flashes/Insomnia/exsessive sweating/yawning/hiccups/Cotton mouth/Nightmares/longer to reach orgazim/less menstral pain/bloodshot eyes/tired during the day/thirsty | I stopped taking it years ago and doing it cold turkey is very scary. I found myself on the floor feeling dizzy and shaking and it was as though i was under water because every sound was muffled. My sight was blured. I have since gotten back on Paxil 20 mg and when the time comes to end it I will be under the care of a medical profesional. DO NOT STOP IT ON YOUR OWN!!!! | F | 29 | 43 days | 9/26/2006 | 1 | Panic/Anxiety | Loss of sex drive - I seemed to stop dreaming altogether - It took my personality away, I felt 'blank' - Craving sweets - weight gain of 30 lbs - Hideous withdrawal symptoms!!! | BEWARE!! RECONSIDER taking Paxil! Please listen to me when I say...This drug is poison!! The withdrawal symptoms, which, by the way, my Doctors wouldn`t admit to Paxil withdrawal even existing; are HIDEOUS!! My life was a living hell from his drug. From all of the reading and research I have done on Paxil, I liken the withdrawal to a heroin withdrawal & I am not exaggerating. Please if you are considering using this drug, try somethig else, anything else. live with your panic/ anxiety, whatever; its much better than the hell Paxil will cause in your life. I wish and pray for Paxil withdrawal symptoms to happen to the makers of this Drug and the Doctors who prescribe it to their trusting patients. I now use Xanax for panic/anxiety with no problems at all :-) | F | 48 | 2 years | 9/24/2006 | 1 | anxiety, depression | Robotic existence, enhanced Obsessive-compulsive behaviours,disturbed sleep cycle, loss of creativity...more | It is very disturbing to note that having posted my extreme low rating on this drug 3 months ago, namely late June 2006, that 106 further sufferers have added a level 1 rating to this index. This does not even include the level 2-3 unsatisfactory ratings. I am posting this for others to gauge in time how many new ratings are added. This drug is causing grief on a major scale. Posted Sept 20 2006 | F | 52 | 3 years | 9/19/2006 | 3 | Depression/Anxiety | Yawning, diarrhea, fatigue, jittering, Complete loss of sex drive or ability to orgasm. | Even though there were some mild side effects initally, I felt so good the first few weeks I didn't care. At about 4 weeks at 20mg the good effects waned and I was left tired, with diarrhea, and unable to orgasm. The calm I felt in the beginning was gone. When I saw my doctor he switched me to Wellbutrin. So now I need to wean myself. I know I will have weaning side effects because I could tell when I was a few hours late with my pill. I know this drug helps a lot of people but if something else works for you then being unable to orgasm is unacceptable. | F | 55 | 6 weeks | 9/14/2006 | 4 | panic attacks | none | F | 57 | 3 years | 9/6/2006 | 2 | depression/anxiety | Extremly tired,appetite increase and loss in all intrests. | I'm not doing to sit here and diss paxil because I know everyone is different & different meds work for different people.Paxil was just not for me.I became completly lethargic.I slept all day and basically did not care what went on around me.I had no intrest in doing anything ever,which in turn made me feel even worse.The one thing i think i can give paxil credit for is helping with my anxiety.I do also take klonopin but by itself it is not enough & now I'm realizing that.The withdraws from paxil have been a living nightmare.I'm now in week two and although they are dying down,they are still very much present.The dizziness,vertigo,body zaps,irribility and crying all the time just to name a few.I chose to end this drug because I cannot continue my young life being in bed all day doing nothing.I'm still looking for the right drug combo for me.I believe there is one for everyone. | F | 26 | 7 months | 8/31/2006 | 5 | Bulimia and depression | Initially: Yawning all the time, sleepiness, muscle twitches, loss of appetite, dry mouth. Currently: No side effects. | Paroxetine gave me back my life. I was very hesitant to go on it after hearing horror stories about side effects, but I am unbelievably happy that I did. A month ago I was sleeping 12 hours a day, couldn't be bothered going to my university exams so dropped out, couldn't face turning up to work and got fired, refused to leave the house, and pretty much only got out of bed to binge and purge. I hated myself, my life and everything in it. Then I started on 20mg paroxetine and went from purging once or twice every day to not at all. My constant love/hate obsessive thoughts about food have stopped, I'm not terrified of social situations anymore and life seems like something to get out and enjoy instead of something to hide in bed from. I read these ratings before taking paroxetine and nearly decided not to take it out of fear of side effects and terrible withdrawls. If you're reading this trying to decide whether to accept a recommendation to take it, remember that people who'v | F | 20 | 2 months | 8/24/2006 | 5 | Panic | None, it worked well and then pooped out. It was the best medicine for panic that exists. | I stopped it from one day to another. Nothing happened. Then 6 months later, under a lot of stress I had the W0RST PANIC ATTACKS that I ever had in my life. Had to be hospitalized. You cannot really get off paxil - even if discontinuing it is easy. But it is not as much of a poison as effexor xr which is really poisonous and impossible to discontinue. | F | 58 | 8 days | 8/19/2006 | 1 | Depression | After 1 dose, I began feeling anxious, nervous, panicky. This became worse each day until I was having one constant panic attack and spent the whole day trying to walk it off. Doctor said it couldn't be the Paxil. But it was. Prozac works great. | In the years since, I have heard of multiple people having this same reaction, including my own daughter (who did not know about my own experience) and a friend. Paxil is dangerous; it can do the opposite of what is intended. | F | 63 | 10 days | 8/19/2006 | 1 | FIBROMYALGIA PAIN | WAS ON FOR 4 YEARS AND DEVELOPED SEVERE SORES ON MY ARMS AND LEGS AND OF COURSE NO DOCTOR HAD A CLUE EVEN AFTER BIOPSIES. I JUST FIGURED IT OUT FOR MYSELF. THE SORES LEFT SCARS ALL OVER MY ARMS BUT THE SORES CLEARED UP AS SOON AS I STOPPED THE DRUG. UNFORTUNATELY THE SCARS DID NOT GO AWAY. I ALSO HAD DEPRESSION WITH IT AND RESTLESS LEGS. IT WAS ADMINISTERED IN VERY LOW DOSES AS IT WAS NOT PRESCRIBED FOR DEPRESSION BUT PAIN AND IT STILL LEFT LASTING EFFECTS EVEN AT 10 MG. | IT TOOK ME 3 TO 4 MONTHS TO GET OFF OF THIS DRUG EVEN BY TAPERING OFF SLOWLY....IT WAS HORRIBLE. NEEDLESS TO SAY I DO NOT TAKE ANY ANTIDEPRESSENTS FOR MY FIBRO PAIN; I JUST LIVE WITH IT. | F | 65 | 4 years | 8/16/2006 |