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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
What to take for a cold while on Paxil?
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Dec 16, 2005 12:00AM
, Dec 16, 2005 12:00AM
As long as you take a low dose for a short time, there are no real limitations of decongestants. they all have a vasoconstricting effect, but that should not be a problem unless you have heart disease.
http://www.talkingdoc.com/medication/paxil.htm
"...Interactions [for PAXIL] with Other Medications:
Do not take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate) or selegiline (Eldepril) concurrently or within 2 weeks of the last dose of paroxetine as this can cause severe reactions such as hallucinations, mania, fever and muscle stiffness (serotonin syndrome). A minimum of 2 weeks should elapse after taking a MAOI before starting paroxetine. Not to be taken with alcohol. Products or foods containing tryptophan are not recommended in large amounts and may cause severe headache, nausea, sweating, and dizziness. Patients who currently take warfarin (Coumadin), cimetidine (Tagamet) or digoxin (Lanoxin) may need to have the dosages of these drugs adjusted by their physician after Paxil is added to the regimen.
Over-the-counter drugs such as decongestants and antihistamines may increase the severity of certain side effects.
Dextromethorphan ("DM"), which is found in many over-the-counter cough and cold preparations, may also cause serotonin syndrome, which has the potential to become life-threatening.
Pain relievers such as tramadol (Ultram), meperidine )Demerol) or codeine can have the same reaction when mixed with Paxil. Patients who are switching from Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox or other antidepressants must do so cautiously, under a physician's guidance, to prevent certain side effects from becoming critical. Patients already using drugs such as lithium, certain antipsychotics or other types of antidepressants may need tan adjustment in dosage to prevent added side effects. This is not a complete list of all known or potential drug interactions. To help prevent avoidable problems, always make sure your pharmacist and all prescribers know all of the medication s you are taking. This includes over-the-counter drugs and any dietary or herbal supplements or medications..."
On SEROTONIN SYNDROME, so you know what to look out for:
http://www.aroundcharlotte.com/PSY163.htm
"...Diagnosis
Mental Status Changes
Confusion or disorientation (51%)
Agitation or irritability (34%)
Coma or unresponsiveness (29%)
Autonomic changes
Fever or hyperthermia (45%)
Diaphoresis (45%)
Sinus Tachycardia (36%)
Hypertension (35%)
Mydriasis (28%) or unreactive pupils (20%)
Tachypnea (26%)
Nausea (23%)
Neuromuscular changes
Myoclonic jerks (58%)
Hyperreflexia (52%)
Muscle rigidity (51%)
Restlessness or hyperactivity (48%)
Tremor (43%)
Ataxia or Incoordination (40%)
Clonus (23%)..."
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