Another Paxil Question

Specialties Psychiatric

Published

the other day, my instructor said that people who suddently stop taking paxil and then restart (not using medication as directed) are really putting a lot of undue damage and stress on their heart. have any of you good allnurse-ers heard of this? it wasn't in my book, and it wasn't listed as a possible side effect of this med in any of the resources i scoured to this point. i am fully aware of the other side effects of paxil, but if you heard anything specifically about this, i would appreciate it. again, i do not want to get into a debate about the use of ssris. i just want to know whether or not there is any merit to my teachers statement.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Wound Care.

The biggest danger that I see with postural hypotension is injury! The rapid drop in blood pressure can cause falls. Its a temporary drop so perfusion interuption is minimal.

Never apologize for a question!! We've all been there.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Newsweek (or a simlar mag) ran a recent article (earlier this year) on Paxil. Read it, but don't recall all the details right now.

Do recall it stressed the severe difficulty in getting off this stuff without complications. Something like 20 times the number experienced with weaning off Zoloft.

You may wanna do a periodical check.

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:p Thank you, Lysorke. I knew that falls were a potential threat with Postural Hypotension, but I didn't know if there was something beyond this that would be considered "critical". To the other posters, yes, I am aware of Paxil's prospective side effects. I experienced some mild nausea with the onset of the drug, but have been lucky to experience very minimal side effects and withdraw. It's been a wonder drug for me!
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Do recall it stressed the severe difficulty in getting off this stuff without complications. Something like 20 times the number experienced with weaning off Zoloft.

There is a website (http://www.quitpaxil.com, I think) that says 10% of those tapering off Paxil will experience "electric shock-like" withdrawal symptoms.

Todd

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Wound Care.

Another great site for insight into withdrawal is:

http://www.paxilprogress.org

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another great site for insight into withdrawal is:

http://www.paxilprogress.org

thanks for the info. i didn't see anything on cardiovascular disorders. i'll keep looking.

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