Paxil is an antidepressant belonging to the family of drugs called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRIs. It is indicated for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Dosing schedules vary depending on the individual and the illness being treated.
There are however side effects that you should be aware of before taking Paxil. Below, for your reference, I have listed the 10 most common side effects associated with this drug--side effects which were noted in people taking Paxil for Major Depressive Disorder:
1. Asthenia
2. Sweating
3. Nausea
4. Increased Sweating
5. Sexual Dysfunction
6. Dizziness
7. Insomnia
8. Tremors
9. Somnolence
10. Anxiety
There have been more serious side effects reported with the use of Paxil as well. Talk to your doctor about any of your concerns before starting a Paxil regimen.
Showing posts with label antidepressants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label antidepressants. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Effexor For Anxiety and Depression: Indications, Side Effects and Warnings
From time to time, I'll review some of the more popular antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications to help you make more informed decisions when treating your disorder. Today I will take a look at Effexor.
Effexor (venlafaxine hydrochloride) is indicated for the treatment of major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, OCD and panic disorder.
Common Side Effects
Nausea
Insomnia
Headache
Sexual Dysfunction
Dizziness
Dry Mouth
Agitation
Vivid Dreams
Some Warnings
Effexor should not be taken by pregnant women as the prenatal effects are unknown
Effexor should not be taken by children and adolescents due to an increase in suicidal thoughts.
Effexor has been linked to hypertension.
Discontinuation of Effexor can lead to SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome
Effexor has been linked to memory loss
This is not a comprehensive list of either the side effects or warnings. I urge you to do your own research and talk to your doctor about all your concerns.
Effexor (venlafaxine hydrochloride) is indicated for the treatment of major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, OCD and panic disorder.
Common Side Effects
Nausea
Insomnia
Headache
Sexual Dysfunction
Dizziness
Dry Mouth
Agitation
Vivid Dreams
Some Warnings
Effexor should not be taken by pregnant women as the prenatal effects are unknown
Effexor should not be taken by children and adolescents due to an increase in suicidal thoughts.
Effexor has been linked to hypertension.
Discontinuation of Effexor can lead to SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome
Effexor has been linked to memory loss
This is not a comprehensive list of either the side effects or warnings. I urge you to do your own research and talk to your doctor about all your concerns.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Anxiety and Depression Medication: The Antidepressant Debate
Antidepressant medication is the most prescribed class of drugs in North America. This prescription rate has got people, on both sides of the issue, talking, and both present some interesting arguments.
Many people see the rise in prescriptions as a promising a sign that the stigma associated with mental and emotional illness is beginning to ebb, prompting more and more people to seek help for their condition. For far too many years, people concealed problems with overall mental health, choosing to suffer in silence rather than risk the sting of public opinion often associated with these types of illnesses. Many others point to the advancements made in the newer antidepressant medications as a cause for this trend. Some of the new formulas, they say, provide both short and long-term relief from persistent, depression-related symptoms, while minimizing troublesome side effects.
Others, however, are chiming in on the opposite side of this debate. They argue that the proliferation of new antidepressant medications is alarming. These drugs are only designed to treat the symptoms of depression, and since most doctors choose this method as their sole treatment option, the cause of the depression is being ignored. They also point out that medications of this sort, while modestly effective in the treatment of anxiety and depression, can have some serious side effects. According to some treatment professionals, the use of medication is only a "bandaid" for depression, and without other measures aimed at identifying and treating the cause, the condition will persist, and in some cases worsen.
I am going to reserve my opinion for my next post, but I am ultra-anxious (bad choice of words, I guess) to hear your opinion on this hot topic. What do you think about antidepressants? Is it an effective treatment? Is it prescribed too much? Should it be used alone, in conjunction with other treatments or eliminated altogether as a treatment option? I want to hear about your personal experiences.
Many people see the rise in prescriptions as a promising a sign that the stigma associated with mental and emotional illness is beginning to ebb, prompting more and more people to seek help for their condition. For far too many years, people concealed problems with overall mental health, choosing to suffer in silence rather than risk the sting of public opinion often associated with these types of illnesses. Many others point to the advancements made in the newer antidepressant medications as a cause for this trend. Some of the new formulas, they say, provide both short and long-term relief from persistent, depression-related symptoms, while minimizing troublesome side effects.
Others, however, are chiming in on the opposite side of this debate. They argue that the proliferation of new antidepressant medications is alarming. These drugs are only designed to treat the symptoms of depression, and since most doctors choose this method as their sole treatment option, the cause of the depression is being ignored. They also point out that medications of this sort, while modestly effective in the treatment of anxiety and depression, can have some serious side effects. According to some treatment professionals, the use of medication is only a "bandaid" for depression, and without other measures aimed at identifying and treating the cause, the condition will persist, and in some cases worsen.
I am going to reserve my opinion for my next post, but I am ultra-anxious (bad choice of words, I guess) to hear your opinion on this hot topic. What do you think about antidepressants? Is it an effective treatment? Is it prescribed too much? Should it be used alone, in conjunction with other treatments or eliminated altogether as a treatment option? I want to hear about your personal experiences.
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