How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient paroxetine, which is a type of antidepressant known as a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI). This type of medicine acts on nerve cells in the brain. In the brain there are numerous different chemical compounds called neurotransmitters. These act as chemical messengers between the nerve cells. Serotonin is one such neurotransmitter and has various functions that we know of. When serotonin is released from nerve cells in the brain it acts to lighten mood. When it is reabsorbed into the nerve cells, it no longer has an effect on mood. It is thought that when depression occurs, there may be a decreased amount of serotonin released from nerve cells in the brain. SSRIs work by preventing serotonin from being reabsorbed back into the nerve cells in the brain. This helps prolong the mood lightening effect of any released serotonin. In this way, paroxetine helps relieve depression, panic and fear. Paroxetine may also be used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and generalised anxiety disorder. It must be taken for at least 14 days before the benefits of treatment will start to appear.

What is it used for?

A psychiatric disorder in which tasks are excessively repeated (obsessive-compulsive disorder)

Condition of sudden attacks of fear, panic and confusion (panic disorder)

Depression

Fear of social situations (social phobia)

Generalised anxiety disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Warning!

This medicine may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.

This medicine may cause low blood sodium levels (hyponatraemia), which can result in drowsiness, confusion, muscle twitching or convulsions. Consult your doctor if you develop any of these symptoms while taking this medicine.

Take this medicine in the morning, with or after food.

In people with diabetes, treatment with an SSRI antidepressant may alter control of blood sugar, possibly due to an improvement in depressive symptoms. Your dose of insulin or antidiabetic medicine may need to be altered. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

It is recommended that you avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine.

If you experience seizures (convulsions or fits) while taking this medicine, consult your doctor immediately, as you will need to stop treatment with this medicine. This also applies if you suffer from epilepsy and experience more seizures than normal after starting this medicine.

The safety and efficacy of paroxetine for uses other than depressive illness in children under 18 years of age has not been established and its use in this age group is not licensed.

Following a review of new data from clinical trials of paroxetine in children under 18 years of age, the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) has concluded that paroxetine is ineffective for treating depressive illness in this age group and actually increases the risk of harmful outcomes such as self-harm and potentially suicidal behaviour. If you are under 18 and taking paroxetine for depression you should consult your doctor for advice, but do not suddenly stop taking it as this can cause withdrawal symptoms. To stop treatment the dose should be reduced gradually as directed by your doctor

You should avoid suddenly stopping this medicine, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, pins and needles, anxiety, sleep disturbances (including intense dreams), agitation, tremor, nausea, sweating and confusion. When it is time to stop taking this medicine these symptoms can be avoided if the dose is reduced gradually, following the instructions given by your doctor or pharmacist.

Use with caution in

Bleeding tendencies

Closed angle glaucoma

Decreased kidney function

Decreased liver function

Diabetes

Elderly people

Epilepsy

Heart disease

History of bleeding disorders

History of mania or hypomania

People receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

People taking antipsychotic medicines

People taking medicine to prevent blood clotting (anticoagulants, eg warfarin)

Not to be used in

Children and adolescents under 18 years of age for the treatment of depressive illness

Manic phase of manic depression

People taking the medicine thioridazine

People who have taken monoamine-oxidase inhibitor antidepressants (MAOIs) in the last 14 days

Uncontrolled epilepsy

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been established. It should therefore be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine passes into breast milk, however the effect of this on the nursing infant is unknown. For this reason women who need to take this medicine should consider not breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

Take this medication with or after food.

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