Paroxetine CR is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication that is prescribed for depressive conditions, anxiety disorders, and pre-menstrual dysmorphic disorder. The CR after the drug’s name stands for controlled release, but there are many forms of paroxetine that may be sold under generic or brand names. Important warnings accompany the use of this medicine and it may be contraindicated in the presence of other drugs or medical conditions. Paroxetine also has a list of serious to benign side effects that may affect a small percentage of its users.
Most medical laypeople would call paroxetine CR an antidepressant, and it has been shown to be effective for some patients with depressive disorder or conditions like dysthymia. It is also indicated in the treatment of certain anxiety disorders. Among these are generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. When women regularly experience intensely negative mood changes as they approach their periods, doctors might suggest this medication, too.
The majority of SSRIs have received additional scrutiny, recently. They’ve been reliably linked to occasionally causing suicidal thoughts and feelings in teens and young adults, and it’s now recommended they be used with exceptional care and vigilance in these populations. Paroxetine CR and other SSRIs have also been connected to a sharp increase in birth defects. Pregnant women or women trying to get pregnant are advised not to use this drug or other similar antidepressants unless no alternative treatments are available.
Another fairly recent discovery that applies to paroxetine CR is that the drug can cause withdrawal symptoms. These might range from minor to severe. It’s now recommended patients taking this medication do not abruptly stop using it. A few days of tapered discontinuation often heads off withdrawal symptoms.
Aside from pregnancy, there are some other instances where using paroxetine CR may not be advisable. Individuals with bipolar disorder may be at much greater risk for developing manic episodes while taking this drug. Moreover, patients who take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or thioridazine, an antipsychotic drug, may have very negative reactions if they also use this SSRI. Anyone prescribed paroxetine should present doctors with a complete list of current medications to avoid other negative interactions.
Most individuals who use paroxetine CR experience few side effects. Common benign reactions include nervousness and jumpiness. If this occurs in patients seeking help for anxiety, it may be enough to determine that the drug should be discontinued. Others may feel drowsy, have difficulty sleeping, experience stomach upset or notice weight gain or loss. Like all SSRIs, paroxetine is also associated with sexual side effects like erectile dysfunction, inability to achieve orgasm and reduction in libido.
Medical professionals further advise patients to be aware of the signs of a severe adverse reaction to the drug. These include extreme allergy, suicidality, and development of mania. Rapid heartbeat, unusual bleeding, extreme vomiting, or hallucinations are also dangerous side effects. If any of these symptoms occur, a patient should get emergency medical assistance.
