Seroxat

paroxetine hydrocloride

Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, Seroxat was first licensed in the UK on 11th December 1990 and was re-licensed on the 9th January 1998.

Seroxat's original licence was to treat episodes of mild to moderate depression. It is now licensed for the short term treatment of symptoms of depressive illness of types including: depression accompanied by anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, social phobia/social anxiety disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Seroxat contain the active ingredient paroxetine, which is a type of antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). This type of medicine acts on nerve cells in the brain. SSRI's work by inhibiting serotonin re-uptake transporters thereby increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical which affects the mood. When serotonin is released from nerve cells it acts to lighten mood and the patient should feel better.

It may take between two to four weeks for the benefits of this medicine to appear, so it is very important that you keep taking it, even if it doesn't seem to make much difference at first.

Dose depends on individual situation and it is prescribed by doctor. It is recommended that you take your dose of this medicine in the morning, with or after food.

Like all medicines it can have unwanted effects. It is therefore important that you and your doctor weigh up the benefits of treatment against the possible unwanted effects, before starting treatment.

Some people taking antidepressants feel worse before feeling better. Tell your doctor if you haven’t started feeling better. Don’t stop taking Seroxat without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking Seroxat suddenly or miss a dose, you may get withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms are temporary. They can usually be avoided by stopping the medicine gradually, usually over a period of weeks or months, depending on your individual situation.

Pregnant women and those who might become pregnant should avoid taking this antidepressant because of a high risk of birth defects. It should be used with caution during pregnancy and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any potential risks to the fetus.

Seroxat should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age, patients with manic depression, uncontrolled epilepsy and those who are allergic to one or any of its ingredients.

Depression and other psychiatric illnesses are associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and suicide. You should be aware that this medicine may not start to make you feel better for at least two to four weeks. However, it is important that you keep taking it in order for it to work properly and for you to feel better. If you feel your depression or anxiety has got worse, or if you have any distressing thoughts, or feelings about suicide or harming yourself in these first few weeks, or indeed at any point during treatment or after stopping treatment, then it is very important to talk to your doctor.

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. General side effects are mostly present during the first 1-4 weeks while the body adapts to the drug. Almost all SSRIs are known to cause either one or more of these symptoms.

Some of the more common side effects include: nausea, dry mouth, weight gain, drowsiness, insomnia(difficulty in sleeping), headache, dizziness, nervousness, shaking- usually of the hands, weakness, sexual problems, visual disturbances such as blurred vision, hallucinations, abnormal bleeding, diarrhea, liver disorders, skin reactions such as rash and itch. This medicine may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Taking some other medicines with Seroxat can also cause problems, so be cautious and consult with your doctor.