Posted by Cam W. on June 28, 2000, at 8:52:28
In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL) » paul, posted by Rick E. on June 28, 2000, at 8:21:44
Rick - I think what Paxil's monograph means by "may cause anxiety" refers to the initial start-up side effects of Paxil. In the first couple of weeks of taking Paxil, as your body adjusts to the drug (up or downregulation of some neurotransmitters and receptors), the extra circulating serotonin can cause anxiety. As the post-synaptic serotonin receptors adjust to this extra serotonin the anxiety begins to go away.
Paxil is actually a decent drug for GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) and I have seen it work wonders in a number of cases of panic disorder.The majority of people have no problem stopping Paxil cold turkey, especially those taking low doses (10mg to 20mg daily), but others have one heck of a time weaning off of any SSRI. The SSRIs with the shorter half lives are the worst offenders for a withdrawl syndrome. Included with Paxil, and less often Luvox and Zoloft, is the seemingly worst offender for causing a serotonergic withdrawl syndrome is Effexor.
Slowly decreasing the dose upon withdrawl is the best way to minimize or avoid this syndrome. Again, most people do not have a problem discontinuing these meds.
My 2¢ - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:38313
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