Paroxetine Hydrochloride is used for;

Depressive illness

This illness causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest which affects how you feel, think and behave. Wherein, it can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living. The depressive illness often begins in the teens, 20s or 30s, but it can happen at any age. More women than men are diagnosed with depression, but this may be due in part because women are more likely to seek treatment. Although depression may occur only once during your life, people typically have multiple episodes. Signs and symptoms may include:

    •    Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities

    •    Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much

    •    Reduced appetite and weight loss

    •    Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things

Generalized anxiety disorder

It’s possible to develop this disorder as a child or an adult. Generalized anxiety disorder has symptoms that are similar to panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other types of anxiety, but they’re all different conditions. Living with generalized anxiety disorder can be a long-term challenge. In many cases, it occurs along with other anxiety or more disorders. In most cases, generalized anxiety disorder improves with psychotherapy or medications. Making lifestyle changes, learning coping skills, and using relaxation techniques also can help.

Panic disorder

This is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks can be very frightening. This typically begins suddenly, without warning. They can strike at any time even when you’re driving a car, sound asleep, in the middle of a business meeting, or at the mall. Panic attacks have many variations, but symptoms usually peak within minutes. You may feel fatigued and worn out after a panic attack subsides. Some signs and symptoms may include:

    •    Sense of impending doom or danger

    •    Shortness of breath or tightness in your throat

    •    Headache

    •    Numbness or tingling sensations

Social anxiety disorder

In social anxiety disorder, fear and anxiety lead to avoidance that can disrupt your life. Severe stress can affect your daily routine, work, school or other activities. Feelings of shyness or discomfort in certain situations aren’t necessarily signs of social anxiety disorder, particularly in children. Comfort levels in social situations vary, depending on personality traits and life experiences. Some people are naturally reserved and others are more outgoing.

How does it work?

Paroxetine Hydrochloride is a type of antidepressant medication known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The medicine works by stopping the serotonin that has been released from being reabsorbed back into the nerve cells in the brain. This helps to prolong its effects and over time this helps to lighten the mood and relieve depression.

Neurotransmitters are natural body chemicals that act as chemical messengers between the nerve cells. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter known to be involved in regulating mood, emotions, and behaviour. In depression and anxiety disorders, there is a decreased amount of serotonin released from nerve cells in the brain.

Antidepressants like this drug have also been found to be effective in relieving symptoms of anxiety. Paroxetine won’t change your personality or make you feel instantly happy and relaxed. It works overtime to correct the chemical changes in your brain that have made you become depressed or anxious and gets you back to feeling like your old self.

How to use medicine?

Take this medication as directed by your doctor. Drink a full glass of water with it unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking this drug.

If stomach upset occurs while taking this medication, take it with food, milk, or an antacid. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to the treatment. The lowest effective dosage should always be used and only for the prescribed length of time.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day. Tell your doctor if your condition worsens.

Its side effects

Common side effects may include:

    •    Anxiety

    •    Nausea

    •    Sleep problems or insomnia

Call your doctor at once if you have:

    •    Shortness of breath

    •    Fast or pounding heartbeats fluttering in your chest

    •    Sudden dizziness like you might pass out

Things to remember:

    •    Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat)

    •    Certain medicines should not be used during breastfeeding or pregnancy. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

    •    This may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. It may make some people feel sleepy or dizzy and it may reduce your ability to make judgements or react to emergencies. Don’t drive or operate machinery until you know how the drug affects you and you are sure it won’t affect your performance.

    •    While having this treatment, it is recommended that you avoid drinking alcohol.

    •    If you missed a dose, call your doctor right away for instructions. Never double the dosage to make up for the missed dose.

    •    If there are any signs of an overdose, call for medical help at once.

    •    Tell your doctor if you have any allergies or ever had an allergic reaction to this drug. This may contain ingredients that cause an allergic reaction.

    •    Do not share this with others even if they have the same symptoms as yours.

    •    This type of drug has on rare occasions been associated with unpleasant or distressing restlessness and feeling as though you need to move, often accompanied by an inability to sit or standstill. This is most likely to occur within the first few weeks of treatment if it’s going to affect you. If you experience these symptoms you should tell your doctor.

    •    Paroxetine is not addictive. However, it’s possible to get withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, strange sensations, insomnia, vivid dreams, sweating or feeling anxious when you stop taking it and for this reason, your dose will be gradually reduced, usually over a few weeks or months, to avoid these problems when it’s time to stop treatment.