Paxil Side Effects

Paxil is a prescription medication that is intended to stabilize a patient's mood and anxiety levels. It has been shown to have a serious risk of several side effects that range from mild irritations to life threatening psychological problems. Patients who take Paxil for long periods of time are generally informed of these potential side effects when they are first prescribed the medication. Doctors tend to require that Paxil patients visit the office on a regular basis so the doctor can keep track of the effects the medication is having.
 

Paxil's Role as a Treatment

The main role of Paxil is as an antidepressant. It is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, which means that it changes the chemistry of the brain so that serotonin is absorbed more freely. This process usually causes the brain's functions to become more balanced. Patients who suffer from deep depression and anxiety benefit from the new balance of chemicals in the brain because it allows them to avoid the extreme moods that keep them from living a normal life. Paxil has been used as an antidepressant in the United States since 1993.
 

Patients with a High Risk of Experiencing Paxil Side Effects

There are some Paxil patients who are more likely to experience side effects than others. Patients who have a history of seizures, kidney trouble, or glaucoma have the highest risk of suffering side effects from Paxil use. Before a doctor prescribes Paxil, he or she will perform an in depth medical history on the patient to make sure there are no previous health issues that could make Paxil more dangerous. Some physicians are beginning to seek alternative treatment methods rather than take a risk with prescribing Paxil to patients who show any risk of possible side effects.
 

Heightened Risk of Suicidal Tendencies

Individuals who have had a history of suicidal thoughts or actions may develop stronger suicidal urges while they are taking Paxil. Research has shown that Paxil can cause suicidal tendencies to as much as quadruple in some patients. The most dangerous time for suicidal thoughts is during the first two weeks of taking the medication. Children who take Paxil seem to be impacted the most by suicidal behavior related to the medication. In America alone there have been more than 100 reported cases of suicide in children who took Paxil regularly. Paxil users also experience deep withdrawal symptoms that can lead to suicidal thoughts when they stop using the medication too quickly.
 

Other Possible Psychological Side Effects

Suicide is not the only psychological side effect attributed to Paxil use. A condition known as akathisia has been related to regular use of Paxil. Patients who suffer akathisia as a side effect demonstrate uncontrolled violent behavior that can lead to actual physical violence against themselves or others. Some patients may experience hallucinations, delusions, deeper depression, obsessive and compulsive behavior, and heightened anxiety while taking Paxil. Research has shown that approximately 20% of Paxil users will experience some form of psychological side effect.
 

Physical Side Effects

Aside from the psychological dangers of Plaxil, there are also some common physical problems that can occur when someone takes Plaxil regularly. Plaxil can have a direct impact on the blood pressure, causing it to be uncommonly high or uncommonly low. It can cause gastrointestinal problems that range from mild to very severe, including renal failure in the worst cases. Plaxil is also known to cause irregular heartbeats in some patients. Overdosing on Plaxil can lead to very serious consequences, such as seizures, vomiting, sweating, nausea, tremors, dizziness, and even coma. Plaxil overdoses can lead to death in some cases.