As with any other medicine, Paxil, a drug used for treating depression and panic attacks, sometimes cause side effects.  However not everyone who takes the drugs will experience these.  In fact some people tolerate the drug very well. Most people who actually experience side effects are affected in only a minor way and either require no treatment or are easily treated by medical personnel.

Common Paxil Side Effects

Clinical trials on the side effects of Paxil have revealed the common side effects that result from the use of this drug and how often they appear. These trials reveal that the most common side effects from the use of Paxil are:

 

• Ejaculation problems – in up to 28 percent of people
• Nausea – up to 24 percent
• Insomnia – up to 24 percent
• Drowsiness – up to 24 percent
• Weakness – up to 22 percent
• Dry Mouth – up to 18 percent
• Headache – up to 18 percent
• Constipation – up to 16 percent
• Decreased sex drive (libido) – up to 15 percent
• Increased Sweating – up to 14 percent
• Dizziness – up to 14 percent
• Diarrhea – up to 12 percent
• Shakiness (tremor) – up to 11 percent

Less Common Paxil Side Effects

The following minor side effects only appeared in 5 – 9 percent of the people tested:

• Loss of appetite
• Nervousness
• Agitation
• Impotence
• Infections
• Yawning
• Painful Menstrual Cramps
• Indigestion

Serious Paxil Side Effects

The most serious side effects associated with Paxil occur infrequently but should be immediately reported to medical personnel.  Such side effects include:

• Chest palpitations
• Hallucinations
• Irregular Heart Beat
• Coma
• A Rapid Heart Rate
• Hostility or Aggressiveness
• Easily Broken Bones
• Suicidal Thoughts or Behavior

Paxil may rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome which causes the body to have too much serotonin.  Symptoms of this condition are:  agitation, restlessness, fast heart beat, hallucinations, loss of coordination, and vomiting.  The risk of having serotonin syndrome increases when paxil is used with certain other drugs such as “triptans” used to treat migraine headaches.    
Because there is no way for healthcare providers to predict what, if any, side effects paxil users will suffer, it is important that patients notify their healthcare provider if any side effects develop while taking the drug.
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