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Chemical Name: PAROXETINE

Common applications

This medication is designed to treat depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, and a wide array of other anxiety disorders. The drug works by restoring the brain's natural balance of certain specific chemicals which work towards modifying your mood. You may also use the medication to treat some other problems, like sexual problems in men, nerve problems, chronic headaches, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Precautions

The drug should not be used by patients who're also using fenfluramine; dexfenfluramine; astemizole; terfenadine; clozapine; thioridazine; selegiline; sibutramine; tramadol; or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (maois) including furazolidone, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, isocarboxazid, or tranylcypromine.

If you're currently using any of those medications, it may be necessary to additionally observe your reaction to the drug's effects, in order to prevent any possible complications. The medicine should not be taken on your own idea - inform your doctor beforehand, and keep him informed of any conditions you have or have had. Pregnancy and breast-feeding are important in this aspect, as the medication has been known to have side effects on babies.

Instructions

Your doctor will provide you with instructions on how to use this drug - follow them closely. It doesn't matter whether you eat when taking the drug.

Storage

Keep this medication in a cool, dry place. Limit its exposure to direct sunlight and moisture.

Missed doses

The medicine should be taken until the prescription is over, even if you no longer feel the symptoms you're treating. Do not miss doses. If you've missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if it's nearing time to take another one, skip it instead. Do not take two doses to compensate in those cases. The medicine can cause allergic reactions in people prone to allergies to one or more of the medicine's ingredients. A few weeks need to pass before you'll see any improvement in your condition.

Side effects

Stopping the use of the medicine suddenly may produce unwanted side effects. At the beginning of the treatment, and when you make any changes to the dosage, you should keep a close eye on your status to ensure you're going in the right direction and not harming yourself.

If you begin to experience anxiety, irritation, compulsive feelings, hostility and irritability, contact a doctor. If you're currently taking care of a patient under the effects of this medicine, watch out for these symptoms.

The medicine can cause drowsiness, you should not drive vehicles under its effects, or operate any dangerous machinery. Women: if you have any plans for pregnancy in the future, discuss this with your doctor. The medicine can have unwanted effects on your baby. The medicine could be secreted in your breast milk, so avoid breastfeeding when using it as well.

Side effects which should normally vanish during the course of the treatment include fatigue, nervousness, nausea, weakness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, dry mouth and sweating. Those symptoms should not continue for prolonged periods of time - if they do, contact your doctor.

An overdose of this medicine is likely to cause nausea, vomiting, confusion, an increased heartbeat, and loss of consciousness. If you suspect you may have overdosed, contact your local poison treatment center immediately.

Final notes

This medicine should not be shared with people for whom it wasn't prescribed, and should not be used to treat other medical conditions. Keep it in a dry, cool place, away from children and pets.

Drug interactions

The medicine is known to produce unwanted side effects when used with some other drugs. To ensure safety of your treatment and to avoid any complications caused by these factors, inform your doctor of any medicines you're currently using, regardless if they're prescribed ones or not.