Is Paxil a bad drug?

[shawnheff]

I was just prescribed to 20mg Paxil from my doctor. I have read really nothing but bad stuff about it, like gaining weight, being in a " alone state of mind "? Is this drug going to help me? the worst of my problems is that I have recurring thoughts constantly that won't go away. Is there a better medication to just help strictly that alone? Thanks for your time.

[shawnheff]

Thanks to everyone, It is only my 4th day taking it, the first day I took I was using the bathroom a lot! I just want t=my thoughts to calm down and think straight and not worry like I do every minute. But thanks again

[Paxiled]

I don't think being on Paxil is going to feel that much different than being on any other ssri.  They can have unpleasant side effects, they can all cause weight gain, they can all cause unwanted thoughts, and they can all not cause any of these things.  I doubt you'll ever take any of these meds side effects free.  What is true about Paxil is it appears to be stronger than other ssris, perhaps because not only does it have a very strong serotonin affinity, it also has a very stong choline affinity, and of course like many other ssris other than Prozac a very short half life in the body.  Which can make it a much more difficult med to quit than others.  My advice is, if this is your first go round at an antidepressant, start with the ones that appear to be easier on the system first, which would mean Prozac and then Lexapro.  If the others don't work for you, you can always try Paxil later.  It is a very effective med for many, and the only effective med for many, and that may prove to be true for you as well, but my opinion is to save this one for last, not first.  And this isn't specific for Paxil, but no, drug manufacturers don't list every side effect.  The FDA quite often has to force them to list side effects, often after long lawsuits.  The PDR side effects don't come from the manufacturers, they come from a voluntary reporting system that mostly come from hospitals.  But what is true is that most people do fine on meds and come off them fine, it's just good to be aware of the downsides so if they occur you aren't confined to the disheartening lack of homework by so many psychiatrists and physicians about the drugs they prescribe.  

[studchick]

I've been on Paxil for  somewhere around 15 years. It was the only med I could tolerate and it's done it's job by calming down my panic and helping with depression. I still have problems, but life was total hell before the paxil. I tried changing meds a couple months ago because I told my med management nurse I was always tired so she told me to take Celexa because it is purer with less side effects. Well, 6 weeks later I found myself hopeless and suicidal! Back on the Paxil I went and I'm feeling stable again. Yes, I am still tired, but I didn't feel more energy on Celexa and I'd rather be tired than suicidal! The point is, whatever works for you, you need to take. And the other comments are correct about the side effects list. If you are not getting them, don't worry about it. Take the medication that works for  you! Studchick

[whoitsme915]

I use to think  and do the same thing as you. But I starded using paxil 20mg and then and I notice a change in about two weeks. It pretty good I dint get bad side effects.

[mammo]

It worked very well for me, I only switched when it quit being effective for me after a few years.  If we read all the side effects of every medication we need, nobody would take them.  If one person in a million suffers one side effect, the drug manufacturer has to list it.  

[MrGreen]

The more you read about a tablet the more you will find negative things, if you look hard enough. People react in different ways to medication. What works for one may not work for another. Forget the leaflet that comes with it. They have to write all that sh!t so you can't sue them should any odd side effects occur. The same warnings come with every sort of medication and the chances of you experiences any of those syptoms listed is about zero. Only one way to find out if it is good or not. Take it. Then you will know for sure. To have others put you off is not the right answer. The next medication you get I am sure you will find the exact same bad things about. Where does it stop? It could keep going on and on and you will not want to take any medication at all and end up as you are forever. Which you don't want.