PAXIL Reviews (PAROXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE)Average Rating: 2.9 (1022 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare PAXIL with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
|
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 |
| 2 | Anxiety/Depression | Dry mouth, dry eyes, ear and fungal infections, severe withdrawl, no sex drive, fogginess, skittery eyes, dizzyness, more panic attacks...horrific drug to get off | I am heart-sick about being perscribed this drug. I've been on it for over 6 years (it is now 2006) and I am caught in a vicious circle of trying to quit and then withdrawing so badly that I go back on. I now try and take it only when I have withdrawl symptoms, which is stupid, I know, but my doctor says I may have to be on it for life....God I'm so sad. I can't work if I have the 'zaps' and the dizziness and the overwhelming tension and anxiety, heart palpitations. I have cultivated a new spiritual and mental attitude and feel ready to quit, but it is so catastrophic when I've tried before. I feel like a guinea pig and am scared I will feel dumb/foggy/frigid the rest of my life. I've also been dealing with intense feelings of rage now too, which i've never had before. Not crazy rage, but enough to make make my husband wonder where his wife went. Ugly terrible, addictive stuff. I was clinically depressed 2x and I really needed help, but I just don't feel ANYTHING anymore and I'm scared | F | 31 | 6 years | 4/17/2006 | 3 | OCD/depression | After 8 years I suddenly experienced foreskin contraction, all came right when I stopped the Paxil. When back on it, and it happened again, very quicky. Delay/no ejeculation (depending on dose), sweating, needed 12 hours sleep, little libido, communication skills waned. Interested to hear if anyone experience the fist problem I mentionied | no weight gain for me, good anti depressant, ok for OCD (might have taken too little), hard to come off. | M | 45 | 8 years | 4/15/2006 | 1 | depression | I would like to report what Paxil is like from the view of a person living with someone who is taking it. My husband said he really loved his Paxil, now he could say or do anything he wanted to to anyone and he didn't have to worry how they thought or felt, he simply didn't care. He would be extremely mean and abusive to the cat. He would put his motorcycle gloves on so he could hurt her and she couldn't scratch or bite him. One time he calmly reported that he had been so mean to her she had lost control of her bowel and bladder all over, just like it was an incident in a normal day, nothing to it. Driving, he loved nothing better than to steal someone's parking place or follow about 5 feet behind them and lay on the horn for about 5 miles. If he could make another driver get out of his car and scream and shake his fist at him, he would scream back till the other guy got in his car and drove away, then he would laugh and think it was so funny. And he was terribly mean to me | F | 55 | 2 years | 4/8/2006 | 3 | anixiety/depression | alcohol cravings | F | 28 | | 4/5/2006 | 2 | Major depressive disorder, anxiety | I started taking Aropax (Australian name) when I was about 17, for depression and anxiety. Initially I didn't have any particular problems; it was only after I'd been on Aropax for a couple of years that I lost all interest in sex, gained 25kg in a year, became anorgasmic, and became very irritable. I've only recently realised that these problems were all linked to Aropax. The worst thing is that it DID help for a time, but I had to keep increasing the dose to get any benefits AND it made me fat, frigid and bitchy. I've been trying to get off it for several months; I'm still trying to shift the weight, and I still can't reach orgasm, although my sex drive is returning, thank God. (Not in time to save my relationship, but that's another story, thanks for that, Paxil!) | Although it did help initially, the negatives outweighed the positives for me. I was too scared to try and come off it, because every time I did, I suffered from awful withdrawal symptoms, both physical and psychological (e.g. I'd be too dizzy to stand up, which was fine because I kept trying to kill myself). I'm also extremely unhappy that I was prescribed paroxetine at 17, as it's now contraindicated for use in children and adolescents, and I don't know if this drug has permanently messed up my brain chemistry. ***I URGE ANYONE THINKING OF TAKING THIS DRUG TO RESEARCH IT CAREFULLY, AND TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT IT.*** If they dismiss your worries or questions, FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR. For many people it works and is great, but there are a LOT of people for whom it is a very, very dangerous drug. Please be aware of the pros and cons and be careful. | F | 22 | 5.5 years | 4/3/2006 | 3 | PANIC ATTACKS/MANIC DEPRESSION | SERIOUS WEIGHT GAIN, ECZEMA, BLOTCHY FACE, TEETH GRINDING, DRY SKIN, DRY MOUTH, SOME TWITCHING/UNCONTROLLABLE ARM AND LEG MOVEMENTS, MILD TO MODERATE HAIR LOSS | I STAYED ON THE PAXIL UNTIL THE BENEFITS WERE ALMOST GONE. IT WORKED FOR ME FOR A LONG TIME AND I AM PLEASED WITH THAT. BUT I GAINED 50 POUNDS AND CANNOT GET RID OF THE WEIGHT. I WAS 100 POUNDS SOAKING WET ALL OF MY LIFE, UNTIL THE PAXIL. I ALSO DEVELOPED ECZEMA & AN UNCLEAR COMPLECTION WHILE ON PAXIL. MY COMPLECTION WAS ALWAYS PERFECT BEFORE THE PAXIL. THE WITHDRAWL WAS HORRID. WHEN I FIRST STARTED TAKING IT I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO WITHDRAWL EFFECTS. LATER THEY FOUND OUT THAT IT IS A HARD DRUG TO GIVE UP. PAXIL GAVE ME A LOT OF PEACE, ALONG WITH A LOT OF OTHER UNPLEASANT SIDE EFFECTS. BUT I FEEL LIKE IF I HADNT HAVE TAKEN IT, I MAY NOT BE HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT IT. | F | 37 | 4 years | 3/28/2006 | 3 | Depression | Took in combination with nortryptaline for depression. I could tolerate a low dose, but when the dose was increased, I had the following side effects: dead-headedness, laziness, stomach pain, nausea, heartburn, constipation, and a funny taste in my mouth. I cut the dose back to a minimal level and was fine. | M | 56 | 3 weeks | 3/24/2006 | 1 | Anxiety | started feeling following side effects after 1 week- headaches,sinus pressure,post nasal drip,worse anxiety,weakness in legs,vision problems(seeing floaters),feels like im in a fog or druged up ,dramatic decrease in libido,penis always feels ice cold! back aches-muscle soreness. so far this drug really sucks!! If anyone has these same symptoms please e-mail me. | M | 26 | 2 days | 3/24/2006 | 4 | generalized anxiety/panic/migraines | Night sweats- absolutely soaked at nights and very cold.Increased yawning. Sexual side effects, decreased libido and inability to orgasm, but I needed a reduction in that anyways! | Paxil is the only drug that made me feel like a normal person. I could handle any problem easily without taking my anger and anxiety out physically on myself or by having a nervous breakdown. I was very aware of the dangers of this medication so made sure that I took it every day- the one day I missed was a disaster! I have recently become pregnant and need to get off the medication as soon as possible as it is now a Category D medication- going off is the hardest part! My doctor and I have a plan to di it very slowly, but these two weeks have been difficult. I am very dizzy and sometimes feel like I'm going to lose it. I have to keep reminding myself that it is the Paxil. For some people, this drug is a lifesaver (especially for me) but it is also very dangerous. Please be careful and learn about it first. | F | 32 | 2 years | 3/19/2006 | 4 | anxiety/depression | weight gain, vivid bad/wierd dreams, fatigue, low sex drive | It works wonders on my depression/anxiety, but I wasn't happy until I started taking 30 mg. I think that I can definitely live with the side effects rather than the depression and anxiety. I would recommend despite the side effects. I'd rather be fat and happy than thin and suicidal. | F | 28 | 2 years | 3/13/2006 | 2 | depression | Could not orgasm at all. Some people said "delayed" was the term but after trying for 2 hours and nothing. It is not the greatest feeling in the world. Continued for over 4 months. Had to stop taking the pill. My doctor advised against it, but whats worse feeling like killing yourself or not having an orgasm? Once I stopped taking it I saw life in a whole different way and havent had issues since. Maybe not orgasming for a few months will do that. | Watch out I really was not myself. While on the drug my parents took me in to see if I was taking any other illegal substances. I have never touched any illegal substances in my life but my parents said I was "loopy". not happy | M | 22 | 4 months | 3/12/2006 | 1 | depression | My mom was on this drug. She was extremely addicted, had extreme rage and anger. Gained weight-but that's hardly worth mentioning if you saw what it emotionally did to her. | This drug made my mom MEAN. She didn't like anything or anyone, and became worse the longer she was on it. She went from depressed to bi-polar beause of reacting to the drug. She constantly talked of suicide and had suicidal thoughts. Couldn't get off the drug because she was extremely addicted. BE CAREFUL on this drug! I realize that it may help some people, and that's ok. Those of you prone to addiction NEED to be careful. It's very scary to see someone you love being affected in this way. She was better off depressed. | F | 40 | 3 years | 3/7/2006 | 1 | Depression/insomnia | Light headed, mildly nauseous ('car sick') feeling from about day two. Felt distinctly 'dumber'. Within 5 days developed a strange body cycle whereby almost exactly every 6 hours (i.e. 4 times per 24 hour cycle) body temperature would sky rocket to point where sweat poured out of scalp, armpits, groin etc and ran down body. This effect would last about 1 hour and subside again, only to be repeated cyclically. At the same time, developed strong 'pins and needles' sensation in feet and lower legs in synch with cyclic heating effect. These effects persisted. After about 2 weeks one day the light headedness, nausea and 'pins and needles' effect suddenly increased in intensity. At that point the pins and needles effect also appeared in my arms and hands (as well as lower legs/feet) to the point where, sweating copiously, light headed and nauseaus and with limited peripheral limb sensation I almost crashed my car in heavy traffic on a freeway. On advice from doctor reduced the dose steadi | Prescribed by my doctor under brand name Aropax after my son's death in an air crash. As a middle aged PhD chemist by training, and as a consequence of these effects I would be very suspicious of this drug at least under this brand name - especially from the purity point of view. The side effects might well be caused by poor quality control with respect to limiting side reaction impurities. | M | 54 | 21 days | 3/5/2006 | 5 | Accute Social Anxiety Disorder | SORE TONGUE The only side effects that both myself and my sister have had is that both the original and the CR (controled release) causes our tongues to be very sore. Whether it be a low dose or high dose, my tongue gets red, cracked and especially sensitive on the edges -- This gets to the point that you actually tear up when brushing your teeth! After long periods of taking even the CR, I had to constantly swish my mouth with Ulcer Ease just to eat plain food -- it really feels like someone pouring salt on an open wound. I drink beer, and thought that might be the problem, however, my sister doesn't drink and had the same problem. I had to eventually quit taking Paxil and it took about 5 months before my tongue was normal again. I have something upcoming that will place me in a very social situation and I started taking it again about 2 weeks ago, after about 3 days of taking only 25mg once a day, I went from eating habenaro peppers to brushign my teeth in about 15 se | Paxil is a wonderful drug. When taking paxil I can get up and speak in front of 1000 people without a hitch, without being on the drug I was at the point I couldn't eat at a table in the middle of a restaurant without going to the bathroom and about to burst out balling in tears. Again, the only trouble is that it makes my tongue really sore, and I mean REALLY sore. | M | 35 | 4 years | 3/4/2006 | 5 | Panic Disorder, Anxiety, OCD | Abnormal ejaculation for the first week or so; lowered sex drive; yawning. After that, nothing. Have not had a full-blown panic attack in almost 8 years thanks to Paxil. The side effects are nothing compared to the panic and anxiety I felt every day. Side effects subside; panic just gets worse unless you do something about it. | Absolutely wonderful drug. If you experience side effects, you must stop and think if the Paxil's actually causing them, or if your own anxiety and they way you think when you're anxious is causing them. My advice is to keep taking it and wait a few weeks. The side effects WILL wear off and once you give the medicine a chance to get into your system and start working, it will change your life. It saved mine without a doubt. | M | 34 | 8 years | 2/27/2006 | 5 | anxiety, panic attacks, depression | 25 lb weight gain in 5 years, yawning and sleepiness, difficulty reaching orgasm from the first month I took it. | A godsend to me at the time I started,after years and years of depression, panic attacks, general anxiety. First time in my life I felt relaxed and 'normal', greatly reduced fears, tendency to overreact and to anger. Now at 30 mg, started at 20. Needed higher dosage after large weight gain, imo. But the last five months have had steady loss of libido, and performance problems. Now trying cymbalta in hopes of restoring sexual drive etc. | M | 55 | 5 years | 2/27/2006 | 1 | Sleepless / depressed | Mild seisures, night sweats, anxiety attacks, thoughts of suicide, delusional. | I'm still suffering effects from only taking 5 pills. I'm just not the same person sometimes. | M | 30 | 5 days | 2/26/2006 | 1 | Depression/Social Anxiety | Within one hour of taking my first 20mg pill (7pm), thought I saw a large black spider crawling on a glass dish, it was a reflection. Freaked me out for a second. Later when rocking my son to sleep in a dark bedroom, had visions of a large venus fly trap engulfing us both. Both visuals were absolutely not typical. At work the next day (today) I was laughing pretty hard and I actually peed myself. I have never done this in my entire life that I can remember. Prior to this I was in a meeting and my right testicle began to throb, lasted a few minutes before subsiding. Another first. It is now 9:30pm the next night- I'm feeling ok, and for the record will never take this again. | I felt great last night, relaxed and genuinely engaging with my wife for the first time in, well, quite a while. 2-4 weeks to take effect? No way, the impact for me was immediate. Today I was a different person at work, albeit with the spider and fly trap on the back of my mind. The tradeoff between leaving depression and a fear of close social situations and becoming a side effect sideshow is definitely not worth it. Not to mention what laid in store in for me had I continued. Spinal zaps, are you frigging kidding me?!?! Abnormal ejaculation? What the??? I think if you are 60 and dysfunctional then this is right for you to improve quality of life- I believe that it's beneficial as a last resort only. One pill took me through a roller coaster ride like I have never experienced. I will keep my little brown bottle of pills in a cool dark place for about 25 years until I need it on a rainy day. | M | 38 | 1 times | 2/21/2006 | 2 | Anxiety, Social phobia | Extreme dry mouth, bad breath, tremors and shaking during sleep, outrageous weight gain. | I did not like Paxil because it took away my sense of reality. I would literally feel "high". Sure it made me feel better at first but it will NOT all of a sudden turn you into a social butterfly. In fact it made people think I was hyperactive because I could not shut up and I was constantly shaking. I gained 50 lbs in two years, but I felt well enough emotionally that I didn't care. When I stopped taking it, my problems were still there and on top of that, I was huge...it didn't really help with my social phobia. DO NOT stop taking it suddenly, talk to your Dr. I had vertigo that lasted for 2 weeks and I would shake so bad I actualy went back on it. The 2nd time I tried to stop taking it I got vertigo once again. It is addictive; you eventually feel like you NEED to have it. It is also extremely expensive. Paxil was the biggest mistake I ever made. There are many other medications out there that can help you without causing so many problems when you stop taking them. Paxil | F | 34 | 2 years | 2/17/2006 | 4 | depression/panic | first 2 weeks, dry mouth, weight gain | been on it for 5 yrs.. tried to quit serveral times, but failed. Very addicting, no other med can really measure up with Paxil in helping me with depression but ruin my sex life! | F | 37 | 5 years | 2/16/2006 |