Under the classification of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressant, the drug Paroxetine falls under. GlaxoSmithKline released Paxil (generic name Paroxetine) into the market on the year 1992. The drug is known to be effective for adults suffering from major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Paxil's efficiency in treating these psychological disorders is akin to that of another group antidepressant drugs which is Tricyclic antidepressants. Although they are similar in many ways, Paxil was found to have fewer side effects and has low toxicity compared to tricyclic antidepressant drugs.
Paxil cleft palates birth defect cases were reported as a serious side effect afflicted to the born babies from women who allegedly took the drug during their pregnancy period.
Every drugs has their individual side effects and adverse effects. You need to know about the different side effects of the drugs you take and inform your doctor if any of these are observed.
Some Of The Usual Side Effects Of Paxil
The side effects experienced by patients taking Paxil vary due to various factors which includes drug dosage. Those who has lower Paxil dosage reported fewer and less serious side effects while patients who has a higher dosage consequently has greater tendency to experience severe forms of the drug's side effect. Since Paroxetine (Paxil) is an SSRI antidepressant, patient using it may experience Post SSRI Sexual dysfunction which includes lowered sexual appetite, difficulty in achieving orgasm (anorgasmia), trouble becoming aroused, loss or decreased sexual stimuli and ejaculatory anhedonia. Post SSRI sexual dysfunction can be corrected but this effect usually lasts months or years even after withdrawing the drug. Other side effects of the drug are nausea, sweating, dizziness, dry mouth, insomnia, asthenia, ejaculatory disturbance, tremor, constipation, high blood pressure, agitation, headache, impaired memory, paresthesia and weight gain.
For the first 1-4 weeks since starting Paxil treatment, the general side effects of this drug may be observed but as the body adjusts to the drug, it usually diminishes. For those who are afflicted by the drug and babies born with cleft lip birth defect due to the drug, the emotional and physical trauma is not easily set aside. Reports about the drug's tendency to cause cleft lip and/or cleft palate birth defect on babies born by women who took the drug during their first trimester are gathered. This, perhaps, is the gravest form of complication from the drug that is not easily forgotten.
