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	paroxetine hydrochloride
	Trade Name(s): Paxil
	Type of Drug: Paroxetine hydrochloride belongs to a general class of antidepressant drugs.
	How Drug Works: Paroxetine hydrochloride appears to increase the activity of serotonin in the brain and central nervous system (CNS) by stopping the uptake of serotonin by the nerves. This decreases the feeling of depression.
	How Drug Is Given: Paroxetine hydrochloride is a pill taken once a day in the morning, with or without food. The dose depends on your response to the lowest dose, your age, and how well your kidneys and liver are working. If you are changing from another antidepressant (monamine oxidase inhibitor), you should wait at least 2 weeks before starting paroxetine hydrochloride. If you change from paroxetine hydrochloride to a monamine oxidase inhibitor–type antidepressant, you must wait 14 days after stopping paroxetine hydrochloride before starting the new drug. Keep the medicine in a tightly closed container away from heat and moisture and out of the reach of children and pets.
	How Should I Take This Drug? Take this drug exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them to you.
	Read the following information. If you do not understand it or if any of it causes you special concern, check with your doctor.
	Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals.
	Should I avoid any other medications, foods, alcohol, and/or activities? Your prescription and nonprescription medications may interact with other drugs, causing a harmful effect. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medication, prescription or nonprescription, without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, foods or other medications. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and may affect activities such as driving.
	Precautions: It may take a few weeks to find the right dose for you. Your doctor will start you off at a smaller dose then increase it weekly if you do not feel better. Tell your doctor if you are taking tryptophan, other antidepressant drugs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), or sumatriptan. You cannot take paroxetine hydrochloride if you are taking any of these drugs. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs as they may have serious interactions with paroxetine hydrochloride: warfarin (Coumadin), lithium, theophylline, or digoxin. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take this drug. Paroxetine hydrochloride should be taken in the morning as a single daily dose. If you are changing from another antidepressant (monoamine oxidase inhibitor), you should wait at least 2 weeks before starting paroxetine hydrochloride. If you change from paroxetine hydrochloride to a monoamine oxidase inhibitor–type antidepressant, you must wait 14 days after stopping paroxetine hydrochloride before starting the new drug.
	Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug. Most of the following side effects probably will not occur. Your doctor or nurse will want to discuss specific care instructions with you. They can help you understand these side effects and help you deal with them.
	Side Effects:
	More Common Side Effects: Sweating
	Less Common Side Effects: Sleepiness Dizziness Difficulty sleeping Tremors Nervousness Feeling “blah” Nausea Decreased appetite Decreased sexual ability
	Rare Side Efects: Headache Confusion Feeling anxious Numbness and tingling in fingers and toes
	Side Effects/Symptoms of the Drug: Do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you are drowsy or dizzy. Call your doctor or nurse if the drowsiness does not go away, or if you have trouble walking or moving because of it.
	Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems.
	FDA Approval: Yes
	Note: This information was adapted from the American Cancer Society's Consumers Guide to Cancer Drugs. Copyright © 2004, Jones and Bartlett Publishers. This information may not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions, is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor who is familiar with your medical needs. For more information, contact your American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.

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