taking paxil every other day

I was wondering if it was ok to take paxil 20mg every other day . Ive been taking paxil at night around 8;00 and for some reason I start feeling better around 6;oo the next day.Today I skipped a dosage and I felt great.IS their something I should do ,or should I try taking paxil every other day.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

It sounds like you should consider not taking Paxil at all, but if you continue under doctors supervision, tell him you would like to try every other day...alternatively, you can do 10mg each day.

[funnyleslie]

Hello. I just recently stopped taking paxil, I am now on Lexapro. I was taking the new Paxil Cr. Which is time released, I also experienced your situation with the normal paxil, but not with the new paxil cr. Ask you doc about it... I stopped taking paxil because of weight gain, I was taking 10 mgs and 150 of wellbutrin sr daily. I am now on 10 mg of lexapro and still take the wellbutrin. Hope this helps...

[scuba man]

Hello,

I am not completely sure how to answer your question, but my Dr. told me that I needed to take my Paxil daily to achieve maximum affects.  However, your Dr. may tell you that due to the way your particular body breakdowns Paxil, that every other day is fine.  Again, that is a decision tht you and your Dr. can make together based upon your need, your dosage, and your body's functionability.  Please see your Dr. as soon as you can, and I feel confident that he can help make you a wise decision based upon your needs.  Good Luck!  

**Now, I have a question for you that I hope you or others might try to answer for me -- It relates to sex and the way Paxil affects my ability to perform normally.  I am currently taking 37.5 mg Paxil per day, and I am also taking some other daily Rx. for chronic back pain.  

After I started taking the Paxil (February 2003 -- 5 months ago)I have not been able to: (1) achieve a firm, healthy, functional erection, (2) the few times I do succeed in getting an erection, it becomes flacid way to soon (& I am talking about before I have ejaculated!), and this prevents me from satisfying my wife, and (3) the VERY few times my erection did remain erect long enough to complete the act, it was not nearly as firm and hard as it used to be, & I could NOT ejaculate!  

I know these sexual dysfunctions are a primary side-effect of Paxil, but I was wondering (and hoping!!) that some of the forum members could offer up advice, suggestions, encouragement, etc., on how to get over and thru this difficult time.  Are there Rxs. anyone has tried that I could try instead of Paxil that will help with my depression but NOT affect me sexually?

I do realize that the pain Rx. I take for my chronic back pain (oxycontin) can also negativley affect my ability to perform sexually in a normal way.  But, I did NOT have the problems NEARLY AS BAD prior to beginning my paxil.

Thanks for any help.
Scuba man

[SmilerSS]

For those who are taking Paxil,,,just to pass along it does come in a liquid form,,,meaning the dosage of a precribed pill can be lessened in the early stages of introduction of Paxil by starting out with liquid or even in the continuing treatment.
A brillant psychiatrist who knew I was very drug sensitive started me out on lower doses than I could get in pill form.
We stayed at that until I was able to get to the a dose available in pill form. Unfortunately, as severe side effects came along,,,I had to discontinue it....For me, the liquid form had to specially ordered thru the pharmacy by my doc, but no biggie,,,,,came thru okay....

Just a word of thought....

Sincerely,
Suzette