What Is Paxtine Used For?

Paxtine contains paroxetine and belongs to a group of medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants. These medications help control mood by affecting brain chemicals called amines.

Primary Uses

Paxtine is used to treat depression that is longer lasting or more severe than normal ‘low moods’, panic attacks and helps prevent them from occurring, irrational fears or obsessional behaviors, and social anxiety disorder where patients may avoid or fear social situations. Your doctor may decide you should continue taking Paxtine even after your symptoms improve to prevent the problem from returning.

How It Works

Paxtine works by affecting brain chemicals called amines that are involved in controlling mood. Depression and other conditions treated by Paxtine are thought to be caused by chemical imbalances in parts of the brain.

How to Take Paxtine

Take Paxtine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The tablets can be broken in half along the break line if needed, but should never be chewed or crushed.

Dosage Instructions

For depression and social anxiety disorder: The usual dose is one 20 mg tablet per day. For obsessions, compulsions, or panic attacks: The usual dose is two 20 mg tablets per day. Your doctor may start you on a lower dose and increase it slowly over several weeks. Take Paxtine in the morning, preferably with food, at the same time each day. Take with a full glass of water or another liquid.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If you miss your dose and it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Available Tablet Strengths

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Decreased appetite
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Impaired sexual function
• Weakness
• Feeling sweaty or shaky
• Bruising
• Abnormal dreams or nightmares
• Weight gain

Important Warnings

There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Paxtine, including increased suicide risk in young people and specific medical conditions that require careful monitoring.

Who Should Not Take Paxtine

Do not take Paxtine if you are allergic to paroxetine or any ingredients, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, are taking other antidepressants or have taken them in the last 2 weeks, are taking or have recently taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) like phenelzine or tranylcypromine, are taking methylthioninium chloride (methylene blue), are taking thioridazine for schizophrenia, are taking pimozide, or if the medication is expired or packaging is damaged.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have liver problems, heart problems, kidney problems, epilepsy, mania, glaucoma (raised eye pressure), blood clotting problems, other psychiatric conditions like bipolar disorder, diabetes, history of bleeding disorders, or any allergies to foods, dyes, or other medicines.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Paxtine should not be taken during pregnancy. Use during early pregnancy may increase risk of birth defects. Taking Paxtine near the end of pregnancy may increase risk of heavy bleeding after birth. If you become pregnant while taking Paxtine, see your doctor immediately – do not stop suddenly. Discuss breastfeeding risks and benefits with your doctor. Paxtine may affect male fertility.

Drug Interactions

Many medications can interact with Paxtine and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking.

• Other antidepressants, anxiety medications, or ADHD medications (tryptophan, St John’s Wort, perphenazine, risperidone, lithium, atomoxetine)
• Pain medications used in anesthesia (tramadol, fentanyl)
• Blood pressure and heart medications (metoprolol, flecainide)
• Epilepsy medications (phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital)
• Blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin, NSAIDs)
• Parkinson’s disease medications (selegiline, procyclidine)
• Stomach ulcer medications (cimetidine)
• Migraine medications (sumatriptan)
• Breast cancer medications (tamoxifen)
• HIV medications (fosamprenavir and ritonavir combination)
• Anesthesia medications (mivacurium, suxamethonium)

Alcohol & Driving

Paxtine may affect your ability to drive safely and can interact with alcohol, so precautions are necessary.

Alcohol

Although moderate amounts of alcohol are unlikely to affect your response to Paxtine, it’s best to avoid alcohol while taking this medicine. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Paxtine affects you. While tests show Paxtine doesn’t significantly affect driving ability, it may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness in some people. If you experience these symptoms, don’t drive or operate dangerous equipment.

Storage

Store Paxtine below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep tablets in the blister pack until it’s time to take them, as they may not keep well if removed from packaging. Store in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground, away from children. Don’t store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills.

Overdose Information

If you or someone else takes too much Paxtine, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Overdose symptoms include sedation, blood pressure changes, involuntary muscle contractions, facial flushing, and rarely seizures, heart rhythm changes, or unconsciousness. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately, even if there are no obvious symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions