Paroxetine (Systemic)

Brand Names : Paxil

Proper Use of This Medicine

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor to benefit your condition as much as possible. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

Paroxetine may be taken with or without food or on a full or empty stomach. However, if your doctor tells you to take the medicine a certain way, take it exactly as directed.

You may have to take paroxetine for several weeks before you begin to feel better . Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits during this time. Also, if you are taking paroxetine for depression, you will probably need to continue taking it for at least 6 months to help prevent the depression from returning.

If you are taking the oral suspension form of paroxetine, shake the bottle well before measuring each dose. Use a small measuring cup or a measuring spoon to measure each dose. The teaspoons and tablespoons that are used for serving and eating food do not measure exact amounts.

If you are taking the extended-release tablet form of this medicine, swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew before swallowing.

Dosing - The dose of paroxetine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of paroxetine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For oral suspension dosage form:
  • For treatment of depression:
    • Adults - At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 50 mg (25 mL) a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Older adults - At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg (20 mL) a day.
  • For treatment of generalized anxiety disorder:
    • Adults - At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 50 mg (25 mL) a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Older adults - At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg (20mL) a day.
  • For treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder:
    • Adults - At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 60 mg (30 mL) a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Older adults - At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg (20 mL) a day.
  • For treatment of panic disorder:
    • Adults - At first, 10 milligrams (mg) (5 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 60 mg (30 mL) a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Older adults - At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg (20 mL) a day.
  • For treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder:
    • Adults - At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 50 mg (25 mL) a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Older adults - At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg (20 mL) a day.
  • For treatment of social anxiety disorder:
    • Adults - At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 60 mg (30 mL) a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Older adults - At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg (20 mL) a day.

• For oral tablet dosage form:
  • For treatment of depression:
    • Adults - At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 50 mg a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Older adults - At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg a day.
  • For treatment of generalized anxiety disorder:
    • Adults - At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 50 mg a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Older adults - At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg a day.
  • For treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder:
    • Adults - At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 60 mg a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Older adults - At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg a day.
  • For treatment of panic disorder:
    • Adults - At first, 10 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 60 mg a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Older adults - At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg a day.
  • For treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder:
    • Adults - At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 50 mg a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Older adults - At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg a day.
  • For treatment of social anxiety disorder:
    • Adults - At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 60 mg a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Older adults - At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg a day.

• For oral extended-release tablet dosage form:
  • For treatment of depression:
    • Adults - At first, 25 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 62.5 mg a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Older adults - At first, 12.5 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 50 mg a day.
  • For treatment of panic disorder:
    • Adults - At first, 12.5 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 75 mg a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Older adults - At first, 12.5 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 50 mg a day.
  • For treatment of social anxiety disorder:
    • Adults - At first, 12.5 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 37.5 mg a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Older adults - At first, 12.5 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 37.5 mg a day.
  • For treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder:
    • Adults - At first, 12.5 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 25 mg a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Older adults - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the tablet form of this medicine 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 medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.