Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant.

Paroxetine is used to treat depression, including major depressive disorder.

Paroxetine is also used to treat panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

The Brisdelle brand of paroxetine is used to treat hot flashes related to menopause. Brisdelle is not for treating any other conditions.

Paroxetine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to paroxetine, or if you are also taking pimozide or thioridazine.

Do not use an MAO inhibitor within 14 days before or 14 days after you take paroxetine. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine. After you stop taking paroxetine you must wait at least 14 days before you start taking an MAO inhibitor.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, high blood pressure, or a stroke;
• liver or kidney disease;
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
• seizures or epilepsy;
• bipolar disorder (manic depression), drug addiction, or suicidal thoughts;
• sexual problems;
• narrow-angle glaucoma; or
• low levels of sodium in your blood.

Be sure your doctor knows if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. These medicines may interact with paroxetine and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Taking an SSRI antidepressant during pregnancy may cause serious lung problems or other complications in the baby. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Do not start or stop taking this medicine without your doctor's advice.

Do not use Brisdelle if you are pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Paroxetine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Use Paxil CR (Oral) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, unusual risk-taking behavior, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness, being more talkative than usual;
• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• unusual bone pain or tenderness, swelling or bruising;
• changes in weight or appetite;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), coughing up blood;
• severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, fainting; or
• low levels of sodium in the body--headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Common side effects may include:

• vision changes;
• weakness, drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness;
• sweating, anxiety, shaking;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;
• dry mouth, yawning;
• infection;
• headache; or
• decreased sex drive, impotence, abnormal ejaculation, or difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others. Using an NSAID with paroxetine may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.