Medication – Paroxetine (Paxil)

Depression and anxiety are some of the worst symptoms of Fibromyalgia, and antidepressants like Paroxetine are often prescribed for people with the condition. Not only may it help for your depression, but it may also help with some pain relief and sleep problems.

What is Paroxetine?

It is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Paroxetine is used by itself or in combination with other drugs for patients dealing with Major Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), and social anxiety disorders. Doctors will often prescribe Paroxetine for Fibromyalgia, either by itself or in combination with other medications. 

Common side effects:

  • Constipation
  • Diarrhoea
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Ejaculatory disorder
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Insomnia
  • Male genital disease
  • Nausea
  • Weakness
  • Headache
  • Decreased libido
  • Delayed ejaculation
  • Diaphoresis
  • Xerostomia
  • Abnormal dreams
  • Change in sense of taste
  • Congestion
  • Discouragement, feeling sad, or empty
  • Drugged feeling
  • Fast or irregular breathing
  • Feeling of unreality
  • Headache, severe and throbbing
  • Increased appetite
  • Itching of the vagina or genital area
  • Itching, pain, redness, or swelling of the eye or eyelid
  • Lack of emotion
  • Loss of interest or pleasure
  • Lump in the throat
  • Menstrual changes
  • Pain during sexual intercourse
  • Problems with memory
  • Sense of detachment from self or body
  • Sneezing
  • Thick, white vaginal discharge with no odour or with a mild odour
  • Tightness in the throat
  • Tingling, burning, or prickling sensations
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Voice changes
  • Watering of the eyes
  • Weight loss
  • Yawn

You should contact your doctor if you experience any of these unlikely but serious side effects:

  • Agitation
  • Chest congestion
  • Skin rash
  • Chills
  • Cold sweats
  • Difficulty with breathing
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness, faintness, or light-headedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
  • Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
  • Muscle pain or weakness
  • Chest pain

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

  • Black or bloody stools
  • Vomit that looks like coffee grounds
  • Blurred vision
  • Eye pain
  • Swelling or redness of the eyes
  • Widened pupils
  • Vision changes

https://www.myfibroteam.com/treatments/paxil