Paroxetine (Paxil® and generic or Paxil CR® and generic) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Here is key information about this medication.
Paroxetine
FDA-approved indications
Major Depressive Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Panic Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Dosage
Major Depressive Disorder
Initial: 20 mg/day (recommended), 50 mg/day (maximum)
Maintenance: Individualized as needed
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Initial: 20 mg/day (starting), 40 mg/day (recommended), 60 mg/day (maximum)
Maintenance: Inividualized as needed
Panic Disorder
Initial: 10 mg/day (starting), 40 mg/day (recommended), 60 mg/day (maximum)
Maintenance: Inividualized as needed
Social Anxiety Disorder
Initial: 20 mg/day (starting), 20 mg/day (recommended), no evidence of benefit >20 mg/day
Maintenance: Inividualized as needed
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Initial: 20 mg/day (starting), 20 mg/day (recommended), 50 mg/day (maximum), no evidence of benefit >20 mg/day
Maintenance: Inividualized as needed
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Initial: 20 mg/day (starting), 20 mg/day (recommended), 50 mg/day (maximum), no evidence of benefit >20 mg/day
Maintenance: Inividualized as needed
General Instructions: Take once daily in the morning, with or without food.
Dosage forms and strengths (USA)
Tablets (Paxil® and generic): 10 mg scored, 20 mg scored, 30 mg, 40 mg
Oral Suspension (Paxil®): 10 mg/5 mL
Please refer to Prescribing Information (see link below) for complete discussion of dosage, administration, warnings and precautions, contraindications, etc.
Paroxetine Controlled-Release (Paxil CR®)
Paroxetine controlled-release tablets contain a polymeric matrix designed to control the dissolution rate of paroxetine over a period of approximately 4 to 5 hours. In addition, an enteric coat delays the start of drug release until tablets have left the stomach.
FDA-approved indications
Major Depressive Disorder
Panic Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Dosage
Major Depressive Disorder
Initial: 25 mg/day (starting), 25 mg/day (recommended), 62.5 mg/day (maximum)
Maintenance: Individualized as needed
Panic Disorder
Initial: 12.5 mg/day (starting), 75 mg/day (maximum)
Maintenance: Individualized as needed
Social Anxiety Disorder
Initial: 12.5 mg/day (starting), 37.5 mg/day (maximum)
Maintenance: Individualized as needed
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Initial: 12.5 mg/day (starting), 25 mg/day (maximum)
Maintenance: No controlled trials beyond 3 menstrual cycles, individualized as needed
General Instructions: Take once daily in the morning, with or without food.
Dosage forms and strengths (USA)
Tablets (Paxil CR® and generic): 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 37.5 mg
Please refer to Prescribing Information (see link below) for complete discussion of dosage, administration, warnings and precautions, contraindications, etc.
Related Pages
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Common and important drug interactions
Antidepressants: Index and Links
References
Prescribing information for paroxetine (Paxil®)
Prescribing information for paroxetine controlled-release (Paxil CR®)
Copyright 2016, Rajnish Mago, MD. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in any form without express written permission.
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