Seroxat

paroxetine hydrocloride

Seroxat relieves a variety of emotional problems. It can be prescribed for serious, continuing depression that interferes with your ability to function. Symptoms of this type of depression often include changes in appetite and sleep patterns, a persistent low mood, loss of interest in people and activities, decreased sex drive, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, suicidal thoughts, difficulty concentrating, and slowed thinking. It is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a disease marked by unwanted, but stubbornly persistent thoughts, or unreasonable rituals you feel compelled to repeat.

In addition, Seroxat is prescribed for panic disorder, a crippling emotional problem characterized by sudden attacks of at least four of the following symptoms: palpitations, sweating, shaking, numbness, chills or hot flashes, shortness of breath, a feeling of choking, chest pain, nausea or abdominal distress, dizziness or faintness, feelings of unreality or detachment, fear of losing control, or fear of dying. It can be prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder, a disease marked by excessive anxiety and worry that persists for at least 6 months and can't be easily controlled. True cases of generalized anxiety disorder are accompanied by at least three of the following symptoms: restlessness or a keyed-up or on-edge feeling, a tendency to tire easily, difficulty concentrating or spells when the mind goes blank, irritability, muscle tension, or sleep disturbance.

Seroxat can be used in the treatment of social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia), a condition marked by shyness or stage fright so intense that it interferes with an individual's work and social life. And is also prescribed for post-traumatic stress disorder--a crippling condition that sometimes develops in reaction to a disastrous or horrifying experience. Symptoms, which stubbornly refuse to abate, include unwanted memories and dreams, intense distress when confronted with reminders of the event, a general numbing of interest and enjoyment, jumpiness, irritability, poor sleep, and loss of concentration. Saroxat CR, the controlled-release version, is prescribed for major depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and severe premenstrual symptoms classified as premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

What is Seroxat?

Seroxat is a second generation SSRI (Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitor). SSRI's work by inhibiting serotonin re-uptake transporters thereby increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical which affects the mood. By boosting that chemical the patient should feel better.

The efficacy of paroxetine in the treatment of major depressive disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (PD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is presumed to be linked to potentiation of serotonergic activity in the central nervous system resulting from inhibition of neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-hydroxy-tryptamine, 5-HT). Studies at clinically relevant doses in humans have demonstrated that paroxetine blocks the uptake of serotonin into human platelets. Seroxat (paroxetine) is one of the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and is one of the world's biggest selling and most successful anti-depressants.

Before taking Seroxat

Always tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking. Seroxat may interact with some drugs and this can cause problems and unwanted effects. The dose may need to be changed or you may need to be given another medicine. Make sure your doctor knows all about your medical history so he can make the best and safe solution for you. If you have trouble with your liver or kidneys, diabetis, epilepsy or heart disease, your doctor may decide that you should have a lower dose of Seroxat than usual. If you have severe liver or kidney disease the maximum dose is 10 ml (20 mg of paroxetine) per day.

How should I take Seroxat?

Dose depends on individual situation and it is prescribed by doctor. It is recommended that you take your dose of this medicine in the morning, with or after food.

It may take between two to four weeks for the benefits of this medicine to appear, so it is very important that you keep taking it, even if it doesn't seem to make much difference at first.

If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Seroxat side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. General side effects are mostly present during the first 1-4 weeks while the body adapts to the drug. Almost all SSRIs are known to cause either one or more of these symptoms. A person receiving paroxetine treatment may experience a few, all, or none of the following side-effects, and most side-effects will disappear or lessen with continued treatment, though some may last throughout the duration. Side effects are also often dose-dependent, with fewer and/or less severe symptoms being reported at lower dosages, and more and/or more severe symptoms being reported at higher dosages. Increases or changes in dosage may also cause symptoms to reappear or worsen.

Some of the more common side effects include: nausea, dry mouth, weight gain, drowsiness, insomnia(difficulty in sleeping), headache, dizziness, nervousness, shaking- usually of the hands, weakness, sexual problems, visual disturbances such as blurred vision, hallucinations, abnormal bleeding, diarrhea, liver disorders, skin reactions such as rash and itch. This medicine may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Taking some other medicines with Seroxat can also cause problems, so be cautious and consult with your doctor.

Precautions

Some people taking antidepressants feel worse before feeling better. Tell your doctor if you haven’t started feeling better. Don’t stop taking Seroxat without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking Seroxat suddenly or miss a dose, you may get withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms are temporary. They can usually be avoided by stopping the medicine gradually, usually over a period of weeks or months, depending on your individual situation. Follow the instructions given by your doctor when it is time to stop treatment with this medicine. On rare occasions some people have experienced withdrawal symptoms after accidentally missing a dose of this medicine.

As with other antidepressants, paroxetine should be used with caution in patients with epilepsy, history of mania, diabetes, narrow angle glaucoma or history of glaucoma, risk of hyponatraemia (particularly elderly people), severe renal impairment or hepatic impairment.

Pregnant women and those who might become pregnant should avoid taking this antidepressant because of a high risk of birth defects. It should be used with caution during pregnancy and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any potential risks to the foetus. Small amounts of paroxetine pass into breast milk, women who need to take this medicine could consider not breastfeeding.

Seroxat should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age, patients with manic depression, uncontrolled epilepsy and those who are allergic to one or any of its ingredients.

Depression and other psychiatric illnesses are associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and suicide. You should be aware that this medicine may not start to make you feel better for at least two to four weeks. However, it is important that you keep taking it in order for it to work properly and for you to feel better. If you feel your depression or anxiety has got worse, or if you have any distressing thoughts, or feelings about suicide or harming yourself in these first few weeks, or indeed at any point during treatment or after stopping treatment, then it is very important to talk to your doctor.

Notes

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Seroxat. If you have any other questions, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.