Paxil

[studenthelp]

I'm trying to fully understand how paxil works in/with the brain. Once this drug is taken, I need to know from start to finsh what happens to correct the imbalances involving neurotransmitters. I know it has something to do with an abnormal amount od dopamine or an imblance between dopmaine and serotonin, but how does the drug work after it is taken?

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

The answer is too complex for these kind of short answers,and if you want the full scientific treatment you will have to consult a textbook on the subject...a good one is the latest edition of drug treatment by Kaplan and Sadock.

There are several important chemical agents at play in large concentrations in those areas of the brain that control emotional responses. These include dopmamine, serotonin and adrenaline.

Paxil is a medication that primarily increases the amount of serotonin at the level of the brain cell. It does this by keeping the natural serotonin levels high at the synapse level by slowing down the reuptake back into the brain cells.  This increases the firing of the effected cells, and produces the desired emotional activation.

Hope this helps.

[Roo]

Did you know that there are class-action lawsuits against many pharmaceutical companies that manufacture antidepressants, one of which is Paxil.  Why? The side effects and withdrawal symptoms that the patients weren't informed of when beginning treatment can be very difficult to handle and can last months.

[CCB]

Can you tell me more about that law suit?

[NANNA03]

Getting off Paxil is a nightmare! You can find out about the lawsuit on Paxil at:  http://paxil.bizland.com/jbuzzw.htm  I've been on it for about 6 weeks now and made the mistake of trying to stop taking it, before I found out about the lawsuit and withdrawal. Don't let anyone tell you there isn't any withdrawal because it's not true!
Gloria

[Niftyness]

Yeah, my mom has been on it for 5 years now, maybe 6. She has tried many times to get off it but she always feels very sick and has major withdrawl symptoms. When she first started it her doctor told her it is easy to get off of, because she is very iffy on medications. And about a year ago her doctor told her to just plan on being on it for the rest of her life.

[ckp58]

I have been on paxil for 2 years now.  I have tried several times to get off paxil with terrible results each time.  I suffer from nightmares;sleep disorders;I feel like electricity shoots from my skin.  I start having feelings of sucide thoughts;and my anger increases.  I also suffered the shakes and all of the other symptoms of withdrawl from drugs or alchol.

[nscotia]

I think it is EXTREMELY important to note, i.e. add to this discussion, that Paxil can be incorrectly prescribed to a patient for anxiety when they are bipolar, not having anxiety/depression issues.  I had the same syptoms (symptoms) that one person who posted a comment did: insomnia, feelings of suicide, anger, feeling VERY hyped up (electricity shooting from skin).  I am bipolar, and should never have been prescribed Paxil.  Apparently, no antidepressants should be prescribed to people with bipolar.  They will react very negatively to brain chemistry.  Paxil should be taken off the market, period.  I hope the class action lawsuit is won by the people.  Paxil's effect on me is the most traumatic thing that ever happened to me in my life.

[Cathee]

I'm a little confused about why someone with bi-polar would take Paxil in the first place.  It specifically states on the side effects portion of the literature that is given with the medication that someone with manic-depressive disorder (now called bi-polar) should not take it!
Also, how many milligrams do you guys take?  I have been reading the forum, but no-one states the amount they take.  Paxil comes in 5 mg tablets and can go up to 50 or 60 mg.  Please state how much you take!!

[Liz47]

I have been attempting to withdraw from Paxil after approximately 3 years on the drug. I don't think that I have ever felt so sick in my life.  Some of the symptoms are; insomnia, nightmares, dizziness, nausea with vomiting and a feeling of electric zaps in my head which are worse when I move my eyes.  I can't believe that I wasn't warned about this before I went on this drug.  This has been going on for about 10 days now and I keep thinking that it should be over - but no such luck.  Don't ever go on this drug!!

[Cathee]

How much Paxil were you on (what milligrams)?

[drummerboy]

please read the other forums as well.It is important to mention how much you have been taking. You must ween off gradually in incerements of 5 mil in 2 to 3 week stages. you will still have the symptoms ie; nightmares-blurred visions-tremors-light headedness etc. but not as intense. Many doctors do not explain this on the front end and I think paxel is being prescpribed to easily and for some of the wrong reasons.Tell freinds and associates to be sure it nessecary and right for them,if they are considering it.It is difficult to get off with many side effects.

[kywoman]

I am a 51 year old woman, postmenopausal, and have been on Paxil for about 7 years, was up to 40 mg per day. I stopped taking it February 28th, cold turkey; unaware of the withdrawal problems. I successfully am off, I spent three days of incredible headaches, waking up with dreams of being hit by 2x4's, night terrors of fighting wars when I could sleep; well, all the same symptoms posted. (No seizures!)

Paxil saved me while enduring some difficult times. I don't think it should be pulled off the market, the withdrawal symptoms need to be noted. We (patients) sometimes need to inform doctors, and take responsibility for ourselves and stop blaming drug companies for our lack of  personal responsibility. You can get off the medication with the help of a knowledgeable physician, if your doctor doesn't listen, find a new one.

I will not return to the drug unless the depression hits again, but do your own research, the information is out there.

[minkha]

Well I must say you are of the first and very only person who has such good thing to say about Paxil. However, I must add my little bit. God must have been on your side for you to have survived the worsed part of Paxil's withdrawal syndromes. I can tell you that after taking the pill (20)mg for about a week and a half I experienced severe anxiety hypersensitivity to sounds and light, Palpitations,musle spasms, blurred vision and all the unexplainable symptom that my doctors associated with anxiety. After going on the site and checking out paxil I realize what was happening was a result of paxil symtoms and withdrawal syndromes. I think it unfair to say its the patients duty to find out about the drug they are being prescribed. I think that it is the DOCTOR'S responsibility who is collecting your money and whose hands you entrust your your life in to find out about these drugs that they prescribe to their patients. Unlike Paxil  manufacturers they did not fully inform these doctors about the side effects and withdrawal symptoms of this dangerous depressant. I wouldn't encourage anyone to take this drug too many adverse effects!

[guitar180]

I'm 18 years old and I've been taking Paxil for 2 and a half years.  So, far it's been VERY VERY helpful to me.  I don't have a fear of meeting new people or anything like that.  I believe Paxil has helped me about 100%.  BUT....whenever I run out of Paxil and don't take it for a day or two, I get these very miserable withdrawl symptoms, such as hot/cold flashes, 2 second dizzy spells, loss of energy, and sleepiness.  Why does this happen?  And, if I ever do get off of Paxil, will these withdrawl syptoms (symptoms) stay with me for life?

[jenheaton]

I am on day 5 of switching from paxil to prozac,  my DR. and I waned me to try something that would help me with my lack of energy and low sex drive from being on Paxil.  I wasnt advised to slowly quit pxil,  one day I syopped and the next day I started prozac.  I have a 6month old daughter and now feel like I am short circuiting.  I have no patience, and no energy and many other side effects.  This is the first I have heard anything about these side effects.  WHat are we suppposed to do to find help?  We all know that as sufferers of depression every minute counts. Why were we not informed sooner of these awful withdrawl symptoms?

[orchidsky]

I was on Paxil for a few years and did not have any problems going off (of course I weened myself off like you should any SSRI that has a short half-life).  The only time I ever felt any problems going off Paxil is when my underlying symptoms (particularly anxiety) were still present and within a week I'd be a mess.  I have tried many prescriptions and Paxil was the one that helped me.  A friend of mine was really sensitive to Paxil (it made her feel really sick), but worked well with Prozac (which made me feel sick).  It differs from person to person; you can't really blame the drug.

[Keegan]

hi. i'm on 20mg of paxil and so is my husband. he tried to get off of it and lasted 3 days then felt dizzy. i guess dizziness is one of the side effects. i don't plan on getting off it because, it has been great for me. i've only been on it for a few months now but, i believe i have a chemical imbalance. this is so wacked because, they say paxil isn't habit forming and i guess it is.  take care.