Paroxetine oral suspension

What is paroxetine oral suspension?
PAROXETINE (Paxil®) is classified as an antidepressant. It helps to improve a person’s mood by treating depression. Paroxetine can also help people with anxiety problems like social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic attacks, or post-traumatic stress. Paroxetine may also be prescribed for other purposes, like premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Generic paroxetine oral suspension is not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I take paroxetine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• heart disease
  
• kidney disease
  
• liver disease
  
• receiving electroconvulsive therapy
  
• seizures (convulsions)
  
• suicidal thoughts or a previous suicide attempt
  
• an unusual or allergic reaction to paroxetine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
  
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?
Take paroxetine oral suspension by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Shake well before using. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure your medicine. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one; household spoons are not always accurate. You can take paroxetine with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber’s advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with paroxetine?
Paroxetine has the potential to interact with a variety of medications, check with your healthcare professional. The following list contains some of these interactions.

Do not take paroxetine with any of the following medications:

• astemizole (Hismanal®)
  
• cisapride (Propulsid®)
  
• pimozide (Orap®)
  
• terfenadine (Seldane®)
  
• thioridazine (Mellaril®)
  
• medicines called MAO inhibitors-phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®), selegiline (Eldepryl®)

Paroxetine may also interact with the following medications:

• alcohol
  
• amphetamine
  
• certain diet drugs (dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, phentermine, sibutramine)
  
• certain migraine headache medicines (almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan)
  
• cimetidine
  
• dextroamphetamine
  
• dextromethorphan
  
• digoxin
  
• doxercalciferol
  
• fosphenytoin
  
• furazolidone
  
• linezolid
  
• lithium
  
• medicines for psychotic disturbances
  
• other medicines for mental depression, mania, anxiety, or difficulty sleeping
  
• medicines for regulating heart rhythm or blood pressure
  
• phenobarbital
  
• phenytoin
  
• prescription pain medications
  
• primidone
  
• procarbazine
  
• selegiline
  
• St. John’s wort, Hypericum perforatum
  
• theophylline
  
• tramadol
  
• warfarin

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, and herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking paroxetine?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• agitation, anxiety, or restlessness, especially in the first week of treatment or when doses are changed
  
• difficulty breathing
  
• dizziness or lightheadedness
  
• heart palpitations
  
• pain or difficulty passing urine
  
• painful or prolonged erection (men)
  
• passing urine more often than usual
  
• fast talking and excited feelings or actions that are out of control
  
• rash, itching (hives)
  
• tingling, pain or numbness in the hands or feet
  
• unusual tiredness or weakness
  
• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):