You should take
Paxil and similar antidepressants only as prescribed by your doctor to
benefit your condition as much as possible. You should not take more
of it, more often or take it for a longer period of time than your
doctor has ordered. Paxil may be taken with or without food or on a
full or empty stomach. However, if your doctor tells you to take this
antidepressant in a certain way you should take it exactly as
directed.
You may have to take Paxil for several weeks
before you begin to feel better. Your doctor should check your
progress at regular visits during this time to determine if this
antidepressant is working effectively. Also, if you're taking Paxil
for depression, you'll probably need to continue taking it for at
least six months to help prevent the depression from returning. If
you're taking the oral suspension form of Paxil, you should shake the
bottle well before measuring each dose. Use a small measuring cup or
measuring spoon to measure each dose. The teaspoons and tablespoons
that are used for serving and eating food do not usually measure exact
amounts.
If you're taking the extended release tablet form
of this antidepressant, you should swallow the tablet whole. Do not
crush, break or chew before swallowing Paxil.
Storage-How do you store
this antidepressant?
You should keep
Paxil out of the reach of children. You should store it away from the
heat and direct light. Do not store the tablet form of this
antidepressant in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other
damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break
down.Keep the oral suspension form of this depression medicine from
freezing.You should not keep outdated medicine or medicine which is no
longer needed. Be sure that any discarded Paxil is out of the reach
of children.
Medical problems and
Paxil:
The presence of
other medical problems may affect the use of Paxil. Make sure to tell
your doctor if you have any of the following medical problems,
especially:
-
Bipolar disorder
(mood disorder with alternating episodes between mania and
depression) or risk of - may make the condition worse. Your doctor
should check you for this condition.
-
Brain disease or damage
-
Mental retardation
-
Epilepsy or
seizures (or history of) - The risk of seizures may be increased
with Paxil.
-
Glaucoma, narrow
angle - Patients with this condition should use Paxil and similar
antidepressants with caution.
-
Heart disease
-
Heart attack,
recent - Use must be determined by your doctor.
-
Kidney disease,
severe
-
Liver disease,
severe - Higher blood levels of Paxil may occur, increasing the
chance of side effects
-
Mania (history
of) - The condition may be activated by Paxil.
