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Paxil User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

Paxil has an average rating of 7.0 out of 10 from a total of 939 reviews on Drugs.com. 62% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 20% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Paxil

  • Anonymous
  • March 19, 2008

For Anxiety "I have been taking Paxil for about 6 years now and it stopped my anxiety attacks almost totally. Great help and balances out my stress level with being a professional working mom with 101 things to do a day. Would recommend it highly."

10 / 10
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  • l3x
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 26, 2014

For Depression "I have been taking this for 6 -7 months. It works good for me but when I miss 1 or 2 days my mood it's really high. I will fight or yell, but when I take it to cool down it works. I was 147lbs when I started it and now I'm 127lbs. I have lost a lot and I'm happy. I eat a lot but when I do eat its just a little. Sometime I even forget to drink or eat anything on this pill but I like it as long as I take it everyday I'm happy."

9 / 10
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  • New...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • April 17, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I was 19 when I got my first panic attack then severe depression. I stayed home for a month. I couldn’t eat or sleep and lost 25 lbs. I am so thankful Paxil and therapy saved me. I was able to feel normal again. I started working and dating again then had a child. After my son turned one I started college when he turned one. I was 26 with an 8th grade education (dropped out at 13) when I started college!!! I was able to handle the stress of being a mother and a full time college student while working 25 hours a week. I am living proof Paxil works. Without it I am a mess (took myself off for 6 months). I graduated with a 3.92 GPA in Public Health and I know I could have done it without Paxil. It may work different for everyone but I just wanted to share a positive experience. Give it time. Give yourself time. Life is too short to suffer with anxiety and depression. It is ok to need help."

10 / 10
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87 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Vano
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 28, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I am 28 years old and have been on Paxil for 2.5 months and it is the best thing that has ever happened to me! I always thought Paxil was for crazy people. I used to always be on edge, worry about EVERYTHING, have chest and neck pain from stress, and was generally unhappy. Since I have been on Paxil I feel like I can live again and I even lost weight. I am in school for my RN and I don’t get angry and stressed about every little thing that doesn’t go my way. It is like my mind and body won’t let me sweat the small stuff. My relationship with my spouse is even better. I haven’t really experienced any negative side effects. Thank goodness for Paxil and my new life!! I couldn’t be happier!"

10 / 10
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100 Report
  • Chris...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • September 9, 2023

For Anxiety "After a bad rollover car accident, I had numerous issues eventually leading to severe anxiety/depression. The doctor tried everything. This went on for 3 years, day and night. Finally, they put me on Paxil. I got my life back. I get side effects from everything, but Paxil gave me no side effects. I thank God every day for getting my life back. Don't give up!"

10 / 10
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18 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Ann
  • May 1, 2016

For Anxiety "Crippling, horrible anxiety brought on by menopause. Couldn't take hormones. I went through heck trying many antidepressants. One smart doctor tried me on lowest dose of generic Paxil, never changed the dose, allowed my system to get used to it. It worked like a charm! I am able to work full time and do anything I want. The side effects are minimal for me. Yes, I gained some weight but now enjoy taking walks to exercise. No regrets about trying this med at all. Life saver!"

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • August 9, 2018

For Anxiety "I've been on it since around 1999. I had been doped up before on Xanax and sick like a dog on Buspar. 2 weeks after taking paxil I woke up from a 5 year bad dream. Here I am today almost two decades later. If it makes you feel sick after a month taking it then it's probably not right for your chemical imbalance. Buspar was that way for me. But if it's right for you you'll know it. Everything will feel normal again. No more excessive worry or constant fear of going crazy. I will say it's a commitment if it works on you. Getting off it sucks real bad but if you're like me you have no desire to go back to the nightmare. But if you don't like it just stop after a month to reduce withdraw risk. Just realize this is not a good drug to be on temporary, it's something you have to take to function until there's a cure. It's affordable without insurance too. I thank Paxil every day."

10 / 10
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  • mumof...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 9, 2015

For Anxiety "After 10 years on citalopram working brilliantly, it 'pooped' out on me. I was put on sertraline which made me 100 times worse and I felt like I was losing my mind. There were times when I was suicidal which never happened before. After 18 months of trying different medications I decided to try Paxil. I was nervous to be honest but I wanted to feel better than what I was. I have anxiety, depression which led to my OCD, mainly intrusive thoughts which were very distressing. I must say that after 2 weeks I have felt better than what I had done in ages. Still not 100% but it is early days. I know everyone reacts differently to medications but do not be put off by negative reviews, this might be the drug for you. I am so glad that I tried it."

9 / 10
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  • WillWin
  • August 14, 2015

For Anxiety "The last 10 years of my life have been hell to say the least. I'm a single father to a 10 year old lovely boy. Over the years however I became a complete recluse with major depression and anxiety. I started taking Paxil 25mg and it has returned me to the confident person I was before and am again able to take care of my son. Thank you for giving my life back."

8 / 10
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127 Report
  • KitKat
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 23, 2020

For Depression "I have been on this medication for less than a week and already feel so much better than I did a week ago. Before I was having crying spells multiple times a day, major anxiety, depression, the works. Now I am able to get up, go back to work, and function normally again. I have only been on this medication a few days, but I am extremely thankful for it so far."

9 / 10
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73 Report
  • MaryMac
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • June 5, 2020

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I’ve been taking Paxil for almost a year now. I struggled with social anxiety all my life, but it was manageable. But when I started college, it got really bad. It got to the point where I couldn’t order food at a restaurant or buy a bag of chips at the gas station without feeling nauseous. My doctor thought Paxil would and put me in 20mg. And it really has made a huge difference. I can function like a normal human now. I’m not suddenly a social butterfly or anything, I’m still a rather shy person. This drug won’t change your personality, but it does help alleviate anxious symptoms associated with social situations."

10 / 10
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69 Report
  • Anonymous
  • August 18, 2017

For Anxiety "I am one of those people who was very against taking medication for my anxiety, until I realized I needed more than Talk Therapy. I tried Paxil and it has made a world of a difference. I no longer have daily panic attacks, or worry constantly. I'm able to make plans with my friends without the worry of having a meltdown in front of them. My biggest fear was getting on a plane again, and I did with no problem. Paxil has truly given me my life pack, and for that I am so thankful."

8 / 10
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103 Report
  • jay
  • June 21, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've been meaning to write this for a couple of months now. I started getting really crippling panic attacks last year. from the panic attacks came mild agoraphobia and then the depression sunk in after not thinking i could help myself. I went through about 4 ssri's before being put on paxil. I can honestly say it has changed my life. I am 95% back to my old self and everyday i actually enjoy getting up. don let other peoples experiences with ssri's affect you. everyone reacts differently and there is definitely one out there that will work for you. In saying that there are 2 types of people with anxiety and depression, a person who does nothing, and a person who gets up and does everything about it. (I'm 21 by the way)"

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • February 10, 2012

For Depression "Paxil has saved my life. After my fathers death, I was in a major depression and suffered for panic attacks for 6 years. I used alcohol and drugs to numb of the reality. I finally decided to get my head straight and started using Paxil 30mg. I feel like a million bucks, everyday I wake up I'm happy and excited for what the day may bring. It does bother me that I have to rely on a drug to feel normal, but it is the best thing that's ever happened to me. I plan on staying on it for the rest of my life. I see it as I have a problem with my brain so I need a pill to fix it, just as a diabetic needs insulin. Thank you Paxil for giving me my life back. I highly recommend this medicine to anyone suffering from severe depression & anxiety."

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  • Jasmine
  • April 24, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Paroxetine has changed my life. I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder about 2-3 years ago and started on paroxetine back then, within a month almost all of my anxiety was gone. It didn't make me gain any more weight than I would have on my own, I've always struggled with eating disorders and if anything the paroxetine helped with that as well. If you take it for a week or two you won't be getting the real effect, take it for 1-2 months before deciding if it's the right medication for you; you really do need you give it a chance to work. Good luck!"

9 / 10
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68 Report
  • orchidr
  • May 20, 2014

For Anxiety "I started to use Paroxetine since May 8, 2014, my experience until now is great, the pill helps me to relax and calm, I was like very anxious all the time. What I like is that the pill does not make me feel sleepy, I feel much better. "

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133 Report
  • Forme...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 2, 2013

For Anxiety "Hello again everyone! I have been on Paxil now for 9 weeks and it has still been a very beneficial addition to my life. I've started to feel like the real me now. I don't feel subdued or Zombied out like some people report. I started on 10mg then my Dr. moved me to 20mg about 2 weeks ago. The only main side effect I've had in transitioning to the higher dosage was severe mania for the first couple of days. It wore off significantly as the days passed. As for the weight gain that "Paxil causes", I think it's just that I'm not so anxious to the point of nausea and disgust in food. I love eating and enjoy my food again! My biggest positive in Paxil is that my generalized anxiety is SEVERELY reduced. Panic attacks are down 85% and I feel great!"

10 / 10
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140 Report
  • EmilyN
  • December 28, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "There is a lot of other reviews that I have read that sums a lot of it up. Yes, you will most likely experience yawning, nausea, and headaches at first. It does go away! At first I also noticed a change in my sex life. I could still get in the mood but found it near impossible to orgasm. Also, with sleep, I did feel tired for a bit, but I think it was because I experienced trouble sleeping at first. I found some things that helped fix some of this: I went from 20mg to 10mg a day. I took it right after breakfast. This one is important! Exercise! I started running again and I found that it had an extremely positive effect and it went well with the medication. A lot of the jitters I got at first went away, it helped me sleep better, and more!"

8 / 10
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123 Report
  • Beach...
  • April 1, 2015

For Anxiety "I am back to live a normal life. Almost 2 years ago got depression and anxiety after my divorce and started taking Cymbalta 60 mg. For one year, but was still having problems with anxiety which is one of the side effects of the medicine. Two weeks ago I started taking Paxil 20 mg at night and I noticed change after a week and today I can say that Paxil gave me my life back. Please if you start new medicine give it time and you will see light at the end of the tunnel."

9 / 10
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120 Report
  • Casey...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 15, 2016

For Depression "It's week three. Let me start by saying this is my third try at a different depression/anxiety med. And it actually seems to be working. Also I've went from 290 at the dr. Office to 276 in 3 weeks I'm 6'2" so it's noticeable. I use to stress eat, now I don't have the urge to constantly eat. I feel, not full, just in hungry and fine with it? Overall I give it a 9/10 the 1 is because it's only been 3 weeks. Kicks in quick(two weeks for me), go all day with no need for xanax or ativan. I'm also alot less angry. Hope this helps, explore all options. Everyone's different! Never lose faith and force a smile :)"

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

For Hot Flashes "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
  • Renew...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • April 26, 2013

For Depression "When I started Paxil 7 months ago I was clinically depressed. I had panic attacks that would come several times a day and my body was always tense. I had Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I was wrecked after an emotional trauma. My brain was on overdrive. Within the first 2 months on Paxil I kept a journal blogging symptoms and changes and after a while I realized I stopped writing altogether. I would always write when I was sad. The medicine kept being more effective as time went on but I eventually got a dose upage from 20mg to 30mg. I have never felt so happy, ever."

10 / 10
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135 Report
  • maria...
  • September 6, 2014

For Anxiety "I had been on Paxil for about 2 and a half years but recently I decided to go off of it. I have been off for about 2 months now but have all of a sudden experienced such fear and anxiety. I feel the way I did when I went on the pill, never wanting to leave the house, or go to work. I need to work but it's so hard to get through the day! Now my doctor says I will probably need to be on this my whole life. I gained weight when I was on it to which I didn't like. Do you think I should go back on it, I can't function like this though."

7 / 10
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122 Report
  • Hells...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • May 10, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "The first few days were hard for me, very groggy and giggly, and my husband says I was totally useless but I was smiling, and then the fog lifted. It doesn't make the problems in your life magically vanish, but instead of freaking out over everything, I now only get upset when a "normal" person would, I now have healthy natural reactions to things. I can deal with my problems. I don't see problems in everything, everywhere. Aropax changed not only my life drastically but the lives of everyone who cares about me."

8 / 10
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134 Report
  • sapph...
  • February 27, 2009

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "It worked for me, It worked for me, It worked for me....oops...must have missed this mornings dose (LOL). I have suffered from GAD/OCD for a few years. Most of the time I was worried and anxious and suffered panic attacks and general high-stress feelings before taking Paxil. I take 10mg's of Paxil once per day for about 6 months now. I am starting to see my previous behaviors that only prolonged and worsened my anxiety disorder. I am able to relax, calm down, sit back and actually make myself relax, even during high stress times. I hope to not be on Paxil for very many years, but it did help me, help myself out of OCD/panic hell. Counselling was just as important as Paxil, and re-learning how to make yourself chill. Paxil Helps!"

9 / 10
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168 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.