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Paroxetine for Hot Flashes User Reviews

Brand names: Paxil, Paxil CR, Brisdelle

Paroxetine has an average rating of 7.2 out of 10 from a total of 96 reviews for the treatment of Hot Flashes. 66% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 21% reported a negative experience.

Paroxetine rating summary

7.2/10 average rating

96 ratings from 103 user reviews.

Compare all 21 medications used in the treatment of Hot Flashes.

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29%
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14%
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6%
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Reviews for Paroxetine

  • Chihu...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 12, 2014

Brisdelle (paroxetine) "I've only been on it for a week, but before taking the medicine, I was up at least 3 times per night changing clothes due to being drenched from night sweats (very disruptive to sleep patterns). Since starting this medicine I have not had one episode of night sweats! Hope it last, it will be a life changer if it does!"

9 / 10
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140 Report
  • Anonymous
  • September 12, 2012

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have been going through menopause for over 8 years now. I have tried everything during that time. Each medicine worked for a certain time frame, then it was no longer effective. After reading a research study about the effects of Paxil to ease hot flashes I decided to give it a try. Paxil knocked the severe flashes out while decreasing the frequency and severity of the flashes that still occur. Also, Paxil calmed my stress/anxiety which also contributed to the decrease in frequency. "

10 / 10
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144 Report
  • Jenni...
  • April 12, 2014

Brisdelle (paroxetine) "I have been taking Brisdelle for two weeks now, but had to stop taking it due to the unacceptable side effects. It worked like a charm on my hot flashes, reducing them from at least 12-15 times in a 24 hour period (with night sweats) to only 1 per day. However, I found it impossible to sleep, I could not keep my hands and feet still, I had congestion so bad that I thought I had a sinus infection and also suffered blurred vision. I tried taking it in the morning instead of at night, but it made no difference to my insomnia. I have, therefore, discontinued it altogether."

10 / 10
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122 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Mrs...
  • August 29, 2014

Brisdelle (paroxetine) "I took the medication for two weeks and it worked like a charm. However, I started to experience extreme pain in my joints (knees, ankles, wrist). Not sure if it is associated with the medicine, but I didn't have all of the aches until I started. I love how the medicine mellowed me out no anxiety or frustration over little things. Hot flashes are at a minimum. Hope it makes it because I would like to continue taking it."

7 / 10
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99 Report
  • Jody
  • April 7, 2019

"I was taking this drug for about 2 years to help with night sweats and hot flashes, both of which were making me miserable. I stopped taking the drug about 3 months ago because my hot flashes were almost gone and I had no night sweats. BIG MISTAKE! Night sweats came back (at least 5/night). I started back on the drug this morning. I hope it works tonight!!! BTW, I have never had any side affects from this drug and I am on 20 mg."

10 / 10
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61 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Roni
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • August 2, 2020

"I started paroxitine over a year ago for hot flashes and mood swings. It immediately helped I was sleeping better and my moods were balanced. It also helped an anxiety that I never relized I had. I was an over thinker and to sensitive my whole life. I now feel like a better version of myself no more over thinking and my confidence is much better."

9 / 10
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48 Report
  • Just...
  • July 19, 2015

Brisdelle (paroxetine) "I took it for 3 months straight. During the 1st month, my hot flashes reduced, by month 3, it seemed like it wasn't helping with the hot flashes much, but I noticed a positive side effect. My overall outlook on life was so much better. Little things that once got on my nerves, slid off my back like a ducks. I asked for something different (grass is greener syndrome) because I wanted more.More hot flash reduction, less anxiety. When I stopped I realized I'd made a terrible mistake. Is been 2 weeks and I'm ready to kill somebody.Moody? Yes? Irritable? Yes. Sweating profusely? Yes .I'm getting back on it today! !!!!"

9 / 10
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84 Report
  • Denise...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 14, 2020

"I started Paxil 10mg for hot flashes about 1 month ago. I was literally having 25-30 severe hot flashes a day. It was embarrassing, I hating going to work and being around people. I would keep a cup of ice on me at all times. This med changed my life! I now have about 3-4 very mild hot flashes a day. It’s more of a heat sensation, no sweating and no embarrassment. I feel normal again and will take it until this part of menopause is over."

10 / 10
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44 Report
  • Mary...
  • March 12, 2017

Brisdelle (paroxetine) "Stopped periods 10 years ago. Then suffered hot flashes, severe, in first five years after. In last five years hot flashes really diminished but triggered by anxiety, certain foods, and occasional night sweats. But could be counted on to have at least one episode of night sweats per evening (down from as many as 7 to 10 a day - and leaving me drenched, my clothes soaked!). My GYN recommended Brisdelle two months ago. Am hypersensitive to all meds so was skeptical, in addition to being an RN. Don't like to take drugs of any kind. However, I was desperate. The Brisdelle worked immediately and I haven't had one episode of hot flashes since. Just dry mouth now. Very bad dry mouth!"

8 / 10
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63 Report
  • Tlc
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 17, 2018

Brisdelle (paroxetine) "I have been on this for 2 months. It has worked very well for my hot flashes and night sweats. I have noticed dry mouth and some headaches and some joint pain in my fingers, but that pain goes away during the day. It's worth it though so I can sleep at night without being hot and cold all night and day long. I just drink more water."

9 / 10
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48 Report
  • Anonymous
  • September 5, 2015

Brisdelle (paroxetine) "I've been on Brisdelle about 5 weeks and I absolutely LOVE it!! I noticed the difference after about 4 days. I was a complete mess before starting Brisdelle (moody, depression, major hot flashes, crying, etc) I now feel like a brand new woman. I am so appreciative that my doctor prescribed this for me."

9 / 10
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68 Report
  • Debbie...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 24, 2013

"I was a little afraid to use the medicine. I read alot about it. Just starting paroxetine. Been taking the medicine for two days. I already notice the difficance with my hot flashes and night sweats. I use to throw the covers on and off, but now I keep the covers on and I am not as hot any more. I will continue to use it."

10 / 10
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69 Report
  • South...
  • May 7, 2016

Brisdelle (paroxetine) "I started with horrific hot flashes sweating all night no sleep. Sweating in meetings going out. Couldn't wear any makeup. I started taking Brisdelle about 6 months ago. I did my research . This medication is a life saver. It's expensive as hell, I found a coupon for it and I only pay a 1/4 of what it costs. There was someone saying how terrific the withdrawal Symptoms are you need to be weened off. Not every medicine you can just stop cold turkey. Read all inserts of medicines you are prescribed. Some meds take awhile to get over side effects. This has been a life saver"

10 / 10
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56 Report
  • Bunke...
  • April 7, 2014

Brisdelle (paroxetine) "Been taking for three weeks. It has reduced the number of hot flashes from 8-10 a day down to 2-4. Not great results but better. I was hoping for a occasional hot flash, bit daily. I will continue taking the medicine for three more weeks to see if the results improve."

6 / 10
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64 Report
  • Hot...
  • February 27, 2015

Brisdelle (paroxetine) "I am beyond furious. Not only did Brisedelle live up to its promise of eliminating night sweats and hot flashes, they failed to mention (as did my doctor) about the side effects when stopping them. After 5 months of taking it, I decided it wasn't working for me. Now, I am left with what I have discovered are "Brain Zaps". There are other ways to help with these symptoms. "

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59 Report
  • HP66
  • June 22, 2017

Brisdelle (paroxetine) "I was suffering from severe hot flashes ever 35-40min all day, severe day AND night sweats, chills, feeling hot & cold at the same time, I was extremely miserable. I could not go to work, my social and love-life came to an abrupt end. I would get soaking wet and had to remove all clothing every 35-40mins. IT WAS HORRIBLE! This went on for 3 months. Everyone kept telling me it was not going to last long, maybe just a few YEARS. In no way was I going to go for years feeling that way. My doctor prescribe Brisdelle 7.5mg 7 weeks ago and my life is 90% back to normal. Once I started taking this medication, the sweats, chills, and severity of the flashes stopped. I only have mild flashes and hopefully they will end. too."

8 / 10
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47 Report
  • Goldd...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • May 29, 2016

Brisdelle (paroxetine) "This drug sort of helps with hot flashes -- diminished them by about 75%. HOWEVER, the person who designed the packaging for this drug needs to be fired. I think that most of the expense for this product comes from the overdone packaging alone. The capsules are difficult to get out of the blister packaging. The cardboard wrapping is excessive and impossible to open without the help of scissors and a box cutter!! Terrible, terrible, terrible...."

5 / 10
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50 Report
  • Relie...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 15, 2021

"I am almost 63 years old and suffer severe hot flashes. They've never stopped unless I was taking hormones. I've tried natural supplements, but no relief. My primary care manager refused to prescribe any more hormones. But she did suggest paroxetine. I got the prescription filled but did not take it when I found out it is Paxil. I had taken Paxil years ago for depression/stress. It did not go well due to many reasons. But, after no longer being able to deal with the hot flashes, night sweats, no sleep, I started, with a lot of research, the Paroxetine, 10mg every morning. And after 2 weeks I can say that it is going well. Very well. Hot flashes have almost completely stopped. No more waking up in a sweaty puddle, I sleep through the night now. There is no drowsiness or mood swings, no fogginess. I feel so much better. Remarkably so. It was not immediate but has gotten better day by day."

10 / 10
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24 Report
  • Barney...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • September 5, 2019

"I was hesitant to start Paxil as my PCP recommended for post menopausal hot flashes during the night that was disrupting my sleep, but also did not want to use hormone therapy either. I opted to go with Paxil and it has worked wonders for my hot flashes at night."

10 / 10
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32 Report
  • Kelly
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 14, 2015

Brisdelle (paroxetine) "Been on Brisdelle for ten days. I was having eight to ten hot flashes a day and I was up all night long with them as well. Over the last ten days they have tapered off, with yesterday and today being completely hot flash free! My anxiety is also almost completely gone. I had bouts of nausea in the beginning that came in waves and even woke me up at night, but that seems to have disappeared completely. I hope this continues! I'm very happy with this medication."

10 / 10
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50 Report
  • Kim...
  • July 6, 2016

Brisdelle (paroxetine) "Ive been on this medication for a year now about a month after having a full hysterectomy. Worked the first night I took it. No hot flashes, no mood swings. I feel great and sleep well. I do experience nausea once in a awhile in the morning but that fades fast with a drink of water or cup of coffee. It's very pricey even with a coupon as I pay out of pocket, but it's worth every dime."

10 / 10
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43 Report
  • Flush...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 26, 2020

"I starting noticing improvement in the hot flashes by day 4 on paroxetine and after one month there was significant improvement. Instead of heating up every 30 minutes, I got only about 2 hot flashes in 24 hours. Now I've been taking it for 3 months and notice hardly any hot flashes at all. I tried Estroven and Evening Primrose Oil and did not get much of an improvement. I stopped those when switching to Paroxetine and do not take anything else at this time. I am taking 10mg generic Paroxetine."

10 / 10
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26 Report
  • LLO
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 15, 2018

Brisdelle (paroxetine) "My doctor prescribed this to help me with hot flashes and night sweats. After taking this for just three days, I was in bed with one of the worst headaches I've ever had. Seven hours, six ibuprofen, three aspirin, and three icepacks later, I still had it. On day four, I woke-up feeling somewhat human, only to have it return with a vengeance within a few hours. By the end of the day, at a friend's home, I was on her bathroom floor and convinced I was dying. Not only was the headache almost unbearable, but I also had a stabbing pain in my left eye. My husband managed to get me home, but not before I threw-up in the car. I had chills and pain all night long. After investigating the side effects, we've decided this is not the medication for me. The hot flashes and night sweats are bad, but they're not nearly as horrible as the pain I've been in."

2 / 10
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30 Report
  • Kel
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • August 30, 2017

"I am using paroxetine for hot flashes. It definitely has helped. It also has helped with anxiety/panic attacks due to perimenopause. After taking this medicine for a year I can say it has really helped. I am very sensitive to medicine so I started at the lowest dose. It has been good for me."

9 / 10
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32 Report
  • DW Fa...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 6, 2013

"I was hesitant to take an antidepressant, but glad I did. Thought the initial dose was TOO strong, made me a walking zombie, I cut it in half and took it just prior to bed. My hot flashes have gone from one an hour to only a couple a day. Night sweats have all but gone. It did take about a week after I cut the dose, but saw a gradual reduction in frequency, duration, and strength almost immediately. Worst side effect is a severe dry mouth, but I've always needed to drink more and the Biotene products have also worked well for this minor irritation (...compared to the hot flashes which had not reduced over the last five years. Thought this was supposed to go away after a while). Luv this medicine."

9 / 10
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44 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

Learn more about Hot Flashes

Symptoms and treatments