FDA approved

Generic for Paxil®Paroxetine

Starting at $49/mo

Getting psychiatric care for anxiety and depression has never been more convenient. Consult with a healthcare provider through our platform to determine whether a medication like paroxetine could be right for you.

Details

  • Prescribed by a healthcare provider experienced in treating anxiety & depression, if appropriate
  • Unlimited provider messaging
  • Free dosage adjustments

What is paroxetine?

Paroxetine is an antidepressant medication in the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) family. It works by balancing chemicals naturally found in the brain. The Food and Drug Administration first approved paroxetine in 1992 and it is marketed under the brand names Paxil®, Paxil CR®, Pexeva®, and Brisdelle®.

Paroxetine uses

Paroxetine is approved by the FDA to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). It is also indicated for social anxiety disorder (social phobia), panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Paroxetine may also be prescribed for hot flashes in some cases. Not all mental health conditions can be treated by a provider through our platform. Those who are not candidates for treatment through our platform should consider seeking care from a medical provider in person to evaluate potential options for treatment.

How paroxetine works

Like other SSRIs, paroxetine lowers the amount of serotonin that your neurons reabsorb, which results in more free serotonin in your brain.

* Only available if prescribed after an online consultation with a healthcare provider.

* Controlled substances such as Xanax and Adderall are not available through our platform.

* This page has been medically reviewed by Sylvia Valadez, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC.

Important Safety Information

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Paroxetine Generic for Paxil®

How to get paroxetine online with Hers

1. Simple consultation

Complete an online mental health assessment and intake form, then connect with a healthcare provider through our platform.

2. Free delivery

Get paroxetine shipped to you for free, if prescribed.

3. Ongoing support

Enjoy secure, ongoing support 100% online—including refills and unlimited dosage adjustments.


What’s an SSRI?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of antidepressant that work by increasing levels of a mood-affecting chemical called serotonin in the brain which helps to improve your symptoms. Nice, right?

The science of paroxetine

Your brain naturally produces chemicals that make you feel good, like serotonin. Paroxetine keeps neurons from reabsorbing this chemical so that you have more of it available in your brain. Long story short? This can help to relieve symptoms of depression.

Paroxetine

Good to know

Potential paroxetine side effects

The most common side effects of paroxetine include nausea, sleepiness, weakness, dizziness, feeling anxious or trouble sleeping, sexual dysfunction, blurred vision, sweating, shaking, not feeling hungry, dry mouth, constipation, infection, and yawning or drowsiness. Discuss any side effects you experience with your provider.

Paroxetine

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Over 75% of Hers customers who checked in with their provider reported improvements in their mental health symptoms.*

* Results vary. Data were self-reported between 11/26/2021 and 08/01/2022 by Hers customers who 1) signed up between 11/04/2021 and 05/04/2022; 2) were prescribed antidepressant medication by a provider after their first consultation on the Hers platform; and 3) had an active subscription for such psychiatric medication through the Hers platform within 90 days after signing up.

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How Does Paroxetine Work?

A Guide to Paxil (Paroxetine) Side Effects

Frequently asked questions about paroxetine

How long does it take for paroxetine to work?

It takes about one to two weeks for paroxetine to kick in and start working, but sometimes can take a few months to reach its fullest effect. Sometimes, healthcare providers will start you on a lower dose and work the dosages up until they are fully effective over time.

How can I tell if paroxetine is working?

When taking an antidepressant like paroxetine, it is important to have regular check-ins with your healthcare to ensure that paroxetine is the right antidepressant for you. If you are having bothersome side effects or are not feeling any improvement in your condition, you should discuss if paroxetine is right with your healthcare provider. Do not try to determine on your own if paroxetine is working and do not stop taking your medication without consulting your healthcare provider.

Does paroxetine make you sleepy?

Paroxetine can cause you to feel sleepy because, in addition to mood, serotonin is an important neurotransmitter for regulating sleep and appetite. Paroxetine’s effect on serotonin may result in sleepiness or other changes in sleep. If you feel severe fatigue, consult your healthcare provider.

Does paroxetine cause weight gain?

In some cases, paroxetine may cause weight gain in both long-term and short-term use.

What are paroxetine’s known serious side effects?

Rare but serious adverse effects of paroxetine include worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or suicide, mania, seizures, risk of serotonin syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (extreme blistering or peeling of the skin), hyponatremia (a condition that occurs when levels of sodium are too low in the blood), abnormal bleeding, acute hepatitis, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

What are some drug interactions with paroxetine?

Interactions with paroxetine include MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as methylene blue injection), pimozide, thioridazine, buspirone, lithium, tryptophan, St. John’s wort, amphetamines, warfarin, fluoxetine, tamoxifen, sertraline, citalopram, duloxetine, atomoxetine, diuretics, certain NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen), and more. This list is non-exhaustive.
Talk to a healthcare professional about any current medications before you use paroxetine.

Learn more about paroxetine

Important safety information

Learn more about paroxetine

Important safety information

Important Safety Information

Do not take Paroxetine if you:
  • are allergic to Paroxetine, or any of the ingredients in Fluoxetine
  • take any medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), or if you have stopped taking an MAOI within the last 14 days
  • taking thioridazine
  • taking tamoxifen
  • taking pimozide
  • are drinking alcohol
  • are using or abusing recreation drugs or prescription medications
Paroxetine can cause serious side effects. Rarely reported side effects include:
  • low sodium blood levels (symptoms may include headache, weakness and difficulty remembering or concentrating)
  • teeth grinding
  • angle closure glaucoma (symptoms of angle closure glaucoma may include eye pain, changes in vision, swelling or redness in or around eye)
  • serotonin syndrome (symptoms may include shivering, diarrhea, confusion, severe muscle tightness, fever, seizures, and death)
  • seizure
  • increased risk of bleeding events when combined with use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen), warfarin, and other anticoagulants
Before you take Paroxetine, tell your healthcare provider if you:
  • have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself
  • have a history of psychiatric or medical problems, including bipolar disorder
  • have taken any medication in the past for your condition, whether effective or not
  • have suffered adverse or side effects from previous medication therapies
  • are receiving any non-medication treatment, such as talk therapy
  • drink alcohol or use/abuse recreational or prescription drugs
  • are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, and recreational drugs.
Paroxetine may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect the way Paroxetine works, causing side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take any of the following:
  • any other serotonergic medications, migraine medications (triptans), pain medications, antibiotic linezolid, amphetamines
  • atomoxetine
  • antipsychotics (aripiprazole, risperidone)
  • warfarin
  • cardiac medications (propafenone, metoprolol, propranolol)
  • tricyclic antidepressants (desipramine, imipramine)
During treatment with this medication, the side effects of this medication may go away as your body adjusts to the medication. The most common side effects of Paroxetine: Headache, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, increased sweating, and dizziness, feeling nervous, restless, fatigued, sleepy, or having trouble sleeping (insomnia). Sexual side effects, such as problems with orgasm or ejaculatory delay often do not diminish over time.
Paroxetine is a prescription medicine used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (social phobia), panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
The controlled release form should be swallowed whole. Do not break, crush or chew it.
If you miss a dose of paroxetine, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is closer to the time of your next dose. Discuss this with your healthcare provider. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed.
Do not stop taking paroxetine, even when you feel better. Abruptly stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms including: nausea, sweating, dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances as electric shock sensations, tremor, anxiety, confusion, headache, lethargy, emotional lability, insomnia, hypomania, ringing in the ears, and seizures.
Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to 6-8 weeks to fully improve.
Patients, their families, and caregivers should be alert to the emergence of anxiety, restlessness, irritability, aggressiveness and insomnia. If these symptoms emerge, they should be reported to the patient’s prescriber or healthcare professional. All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should watch for and notify their healthcare provider for worsening symptoms, suicidality and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment.
If you no longer need your medication, the best way to dispose of most types of old, unused, unwanted, or expired medicines (both prescription and over the counter) is to drop off the medicine at a drug take back site, location, or program immediately. You can use the DEA DIVERSION CONTROL DIVISION LOOKUP to find your nearest drug disposal site.
If no drug take back sites, locations, or programs are available in your area, and there are no specific disposal instructions (such as flushing) in the medication guide or package insert, you can follow these simple steps to dispose of most medicines in your trash at home:
  • Mix medicines (liquid or pills; do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds;
  • Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag;
  • Throw away the container in your trash at home; and
  • Delete all personal information on the prescription label of empty medicine bottles or medicine packaging, then trash or recycle the empty bottle or packaging.
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* Controlled substances, including amphetamines (such as Adderall) or benzodiazepines (such as Xanax and Valium) are not available through our platform.