Paxil (paroxetine) [SSRI]
SSRIs, like Paxil, are commonly used to treat a wide range of disorders, including depression and generalized anxiety. Serotonin absorption is thought to be directly linked with variations in feelings and mood swings. Many SAD patients using Paxil report positive results and relief from their social anxiety symptoms, while others find it to be of little help. Side effects are quite common with SSRIs in general, with the medications affecting sexual function and appetite in many patients. Headaches and nausea are also reported, though these normally subside after a short time.
More Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paroxetine
Askapatient.com Ratings:
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RevolutionHealth.com Ratings:
http://www.revolutionhealth.com/drugs-treatments/rating/paxil
I have been taking Paxil now for about 2 months 20mg a day and it has changed my life. I have experinced side effects howver such as loss of appetite and sexual dysfunction (this is common though).
My anxiety has improved dramatically and in turn so has my physical symptoms such as palpatations and sweating. I am finding it remarkably easier to communicate and be around others. I use to get anxious even thinking about social situations but now I am engaging in them. Life changing and for the first time in my life I am actually happy.
I have to say, I spent two years on a steadily increasing dose of Paxil. For the entire length of time that I took it, I noticed significant improvements in my ability to tolerate social situations. Even conflicts. It was really an amazing thing.
I stopped taking Paxil entirely, though. Sure, it's cheap. But the sexual side-effects are absolutely unacceptable. I give it five stars for efficacy, but only two for practicality.
This was the first drug I ever tried for SA (other than a few Valium tablets). I tried it way back in the summer of 2000.
If you're looking for a drug to cure premature ejaculation, you're going to love this pill. Just be sure not to use too much otherwise you'll never ejaculate at all.
That blatantly obvious side effect is the only way I could differentiate Paxil from a sugar pill. Even at 60 mg it did nothing to help in any way.
I am on 40 mg.It makes me very drowsy most of the time- usually I take afternoon naps. Also, its known for having guaranteed sexual side effects. For me, I have difficulty achieving orgasm. I HAVE gotten very little positive effect though..It makes my mind a little less blank in social situations.
My doctor put me on Paxil after stopping Lexapro. I had (have) been experiencing a major bout of depression and more crippling than usual social anxiety. I stayed on a 25 mg dose for 6 weeks, and after no improvement, it was increased to 37.5 mg. I guess if I had to choose between Paxil and Lexapro, I would go with the Paxil, but it wasn't really any noticable improvement. As of yesterday, my doctor took me off the Paxil (which I was taking in combination with Wellbutrin, Ambien, and Xanax) and started me on Effexor (with Xanax and Ambien).
but it causes weight gain and makes it so I cant have sex at all really... Plus I was just so tired all time..(could be just me)
I was on 20mg for only a month. It didn't affect my anxiety or dysthymia at all. The only side effect I had was the first week I was on it I couldn't get more than 2 hours of sleep a night and once I started to sleep beter I didn't have dreams for another week.
I will also add that I tend to be really resistant to a lot of different meds and require a much higher dose so this just may have been way to low of a dose to work.
Caused ED and delayed orgasm/anorgasmia. Felt apethetic and lethargic most of the time. Mediocre at best on anxiety but the side effects just make it not worth the trouble. Experienced brain shocks while using Paxil...they suck tremendously. No amount of anxiety relief is worth brain shocks.
This is the first drug that I've tried, and it is still the beginning of my journey. I started taking Paxil 4 months ago.
It helped with minor SA problems, but I was only on a 10mg dose. I have had nausea, blurry vision and sexual side effects.
My doctor told me to increase the dose to 20mg to help with my more major SA problems, but the first night I took it, it kept me awake all night. The next day I experienced intense nausea and a kind of out of body feeling or a "high". Not pleasant at all, so now I still take 10mg until I can figure out something else to try.
I have only been on Paxil about 5 weeks now. I started at 20mg and I am now taking 40mg. I have noticed that it helps with my mind not going blank and I am not as anxious as I was before in social situations. I am hoping with the increased dosage, I will continue to see improvement with myself. I did have brain shocks the first few days I was on it but they went away. Also, Paxil keeps me alert and I do not get drowsy from it.
The individual experiences about treatment for social anxiety disorder (social phobia) are not a substitute for medical advice.
You should always consult a qualified health care professional before beginning, changing or stopping a treatment.
