Paroxetine and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 3)

• hib...
• September 22, 2015

Paroxetine for Depression "It was pretty efficient. Within 3 months, I had been out of my acute depressive episode and full of life. I hadn't experienced any increase in appetite, as I was warned, and in fact, it helped with my IBS a lot. I was started on 25 mg/day, then 37.5 mg/day for around 8 months, after which I sought my doctor for mania symptoms I was experiencing: very talkative, juggling thoughts, very rapid tone and rush of ideas when speaking, and most importantly, insomnia! Anyhow, we had to emergency stop it: 25 mg for 3 weeks, then 12.5 mg for one, and then nothing. Worst experience in the world, it's very physically debilitating: nausea, dizziness, weird feeling on my head. Had to take Xanax to combat the withdrawal symptoms, couldn't leave the house for 2 months!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 21, 2025

For Anxiety "I was on paroxetine 30 mg to 40 mg for 20 years. I was 14 years old when I started, but it stopped working. Though it worked great for me, what I learned is the withdrawal can be really hard on some people. I found out that cross tapering from paroxetine helps withdrawal. It's when you drop paroxetine by 5 mg every 2 weeks and start a new SSRI. I went to 5 mg of Lexapro. I like Lexapro much better than paroxetine, but remember, go really slow. I hope this helps."

• RMR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2016

Paroxetine for Depression "This was for my MDD, BPD, and OCD, I hated this. Sick all the time. If I didn't eat, the meds made me sick. If I did, they'd screw with my stomach. Everything was worse. Black and white is an understatement. I was significantly worse on these meds than without. Withdrawals were terrible. The only good thing was that insurance covered a lot of it."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 1, 2019

Paroxetine for Anxiety and Stress "This medication is terrible! The most horrible medication that someone could be on! I slept nonstop for 7 weeks while on it, and in three months, I gained massive weight (15 pounds), and, although I have been off it for 2 years, I cannot get rid of this excessive weight I gained while on Paxil! And, terrible withdrawal effects. It should be pulled off the market for its serious side effects, and it cannot help with anything!"

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 28, 2019

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I took this medicine for more than a year and a half so far. I had horrible stuttering and social phobia. But after one month of taking Paxil, I changed completely. I am 80% more fluent in my speech, so much more confident and social, positive and wanting to have fun all the time, and energized. However, the past few months, side effects became really annoying. My body feels so weak, like someone who has a fever nonstop. I sweat all night and use the washroom more often. My vision is worse, and I get so confused and can’t focus, especially since I work as a waitress. It affected my work life, my hands shake all the time, and I can’t last for long shifts. I’m tapering it off now, going through withdrawal symptoms and feeling like a wild animal sometimes from anger. Hope I can stop taking it safely eventually without getting back to stuttering, even though I’m stuttering so much now since I reduced the dose."

• Anonymous
• February 3, 2011

Paroxetine for Panic Disorder "For the most part, I would have to say that Paxil saved my life. I suffered from severe panic attacks, several a day, for years. I've been on every antidepressant and anxiolytic out there, but none helped like Paxil. I have been on it for 12 years now. The side effects that I have dealt with are an 80-pound weight gain over the period I have been on it. I crave food and carbs constantly. I yawn often throughout the day and experience fatigue that can get drop-dead tired around the time of my menses. I, too, have tried to get off of Paxil many times, only to suffer severe withdrawal symptoms."

• Mar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 15, 2020

For Anxiety "My pharmacy ran out of the Paxil I normally receive. He gave me generic paroxetine, and I experienced pretty severe withdrawal symptoms. I had hot flashes, several severe anxiety attacks, loss of appetite, diarrhea, palpitations that caused me to feel as if I was going to pass out, high blood pressure, tremors, and insomnia. What is the level of the active ingredient in Paxil when produced by this company? I have had issues with other brands of Paxil, but not as severe as with this company's pills."

• Sou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 24, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Had withdrawal symptoms and interactions on other meds and had to come off. I had GAD but got panic attacks during that process that I could not shake off despite CBT helping somewhat. I was scared starting Paroxetine but had a good rapport with my doctor who thought it would help me after much discussion. I took Paroxetine with my breakfast, 10 mg at first, now 20 mg. The 20 mg after a few weeks helped switch panic attacks off and stopped me fixating on subjects. I still have my senses intact, am just not as anxious. I was considering a higher dose but prefer to stay low. I have my mojo back at last! Female, age 56."

• Wor...
• November 4, 2015

Paroxetine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "PROS: relieved GAD symptoms, rested better at night, generally in a better mood most of the time. CONS: gas, bloating, erectile dysfunction. Stopped taking the med 10 days ago, and the withdrawal symptoms are awful! Vertigo, electric shock sensations throughout my body, dizziness, mood swings, etc. Coming off this is like trying to break a coke addiction. Antihistamines help with the vertigo. 0.5 mg of Klonopin helps with mood swings. L-Tyrosine and P-5-P are helping also to control symptoms. Find an alternative medication. Dr. will not tell you how hard it is to get off this crap."

• bil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 12, 2019

For Depression "1. WITHDRAWAL AND GETTING OFF PAROXETINE (PAXIL). ***The way to avoid this horrendous withdrawal, asking your doctor, is to slowly lower the dose AND AT THE SAME TIME START FLUOXETINE (PROZAC) at a low dose (this process is called 'titration'). Then, when you have stopped using Paroxetine altogether, come off the fluoxetine (Prozac) and you can avoid the vast majority of withdrawals from Paroxetine. It also works with any other antidepressant.*** For example, if you use 40 mg of Paroxetine, drop to 30 mg while starting 10 mg/20 mg of Fluoxetine. This works, if you don't know, because Paroxetine (Paxil) has a *SHORT HALF-LIFE* [MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS] of *1-2 days*. This means the rate (speed, time) at which the drug leaves your body. The drug stays in there even after you completely stop because the chemical Paroxetine hasn't exited the body yet, and the speed at which it exits is determined by the HALF-LIFE."

• Ada...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2023

For Panic Disorder "Paroxetine CR was prescribed for me due to recurrent panic attacks with anxiety and depression with recurrent obsessions. I started with 25 mg for a week, then 50 mg for about 5 weeks. At the beginning of therapy, I suffered from recurrent anxiety attacks with depression in the morning. After two weeks, my anxiety and panic attacks decreased gradually to a satisfactory level, but morning depression is still present. After five weeks, the depression decreased but was still annoying, with sleep problems. I asked my doctor about it, and he told me that it will disappear with time. I hope to return to my usual life with time, however, I am afraid of the withdrawal symptoms of the drug, but I will delay my fears to the future when I get improved."

• MAS...
• September 3, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "Pros: felt great quickly, kept me fairly level for a few years before poopout. Cons: SEVERE withdrawal and ANGER and AGITATION. Upon reflection, the past 3 years on Paxil were also filled with inappropriate anger to the point of rage, uncontrollable outbursts that I've never experienced before. I isolated my loved ones, lost my partner, and became a recluse as I feared my emotions. Didn't realize this until I reconnected with loved ones. Gained 40 lbs, despite a healthy diet and exercise. Joint pain, muscle loss. Yuck. Had to switch to Lexapro to come off this drug and lead an antihistamine/anti-inflammatory diet (huge contributors to mood disorders--eye-opening discovery). It smoothed out the ride, but I still suffered 'Paxil Rage'."

• Kjx...
• November 27, 2015

For Depression "PHYSICALLY ADDICTIVE. It worked amazingly for what they were prescribed for (anxiety, depression, eating disorders) at first, but coming off has been awful, and the doctors don't warn you about it. Do not try to come off cold turkey! Withdrawal made me feel like there was an electrical current in the back of my brain, and the longer I went without it, the shorter the intervals between the brain zaps are. I still get it sometimes, but only if I forget to take it. I became really unfocused and disoriented for 2 weeks. I couldn't have conversations or work - I had no attention span and couldn't function. I had to go back on them. They only go down to 20mg, so I take halves, first every day, now every other. I've been trying to get off it for over 2 years."

• rya...
• September 12, 2019

Paroxetine "I am 38 now, started on Paxil at 19 for anorexia. Was on it for maybe a total of 5 years, I forget my dose. I think my doctor put me on it because she wanted me to gain weight, and that it did. Was over being on it in my 20s. Brain zaps were the worst of my withdrawal symptoms. Lasted for a month or two."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2021

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "Certainly helps even me out, but with the doctor wanting me to only take it before my period and then stop, the withdrawal symptoms are not worth it. Now, if I could just stay on it, I can see it doing wonders for my mood swings."

• Mum...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 14, 2021

For Depression "It was good at treating my depression (still is), helped with anxiety, and had few side effects. EVERYONE that takes this needs to be aware how difficult it is to come off it. For me, the withdrawal was so bad I'm stuck in it. Plus, I've been slowly gaining more weight, and it's impossible to lose it. It messes with blood sugar levels and causes cravings for carbs. Fact! So to sum up, take it if you don't mind taking it forever and being a bit overweight."

• Psy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 14, 2017

Paroxetine for Anxiety and Stress "Horrible drug. Paxil is garbage. I've been on the majority of these psych drugs. Pure poison. Now that the horrible withdrawal effects are lessening-I'm getting much better. While on and coming off them, it was pure hell. That's my experience."

• MAR...
• June 22, 2010

For Anxiety "I initially went on Paxil 13 years ago after suffering from major anxiety/depression. Worked great, and within a month, I was back to work. It gave out on me, and I would get my dose increased and would then feel better once again. I made a horrible choice of stopping it cold turkey last summer, and I am still paying for it now. Been back on it 20 mg for a week and already feel better. This is after trying Lexapro and Prozac with negative results after approximately 6 weeks of each. I am an example that if something works and plateaus, don't stop taking it, make the necessary adjustments. Paxil has saved my life once, and it appears like it is again after trial and error with other drugs and treatment alternatives. Paxil is great for anxiety."

• Anonymous
• November 23, 2010

Paroxetine "Started using Paxil as an alternative for estrogen therapy going through menopausal stage. I had no idea that the withdrawal symptoms would be so horrific. I have tried 3 times to wean off, but the symptoms of brain zaps, that cause painful electrical jolts from head to toe, and the uncontrollable crying make it almost impossible to work full time and wean off this medication."

• Mem...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 3, 2018

For Anxiety "Been on 20 mg paroxetine for 2 and a half years. Pros-fewer to non-existent panic attacks; better able to cope with anxiety-producing circumstances; able to drive on the expressway without panicking. Cons-huge weight gain (continually have to buy new clothes!); can't come off without terrible withdrawal symptoms. Verdict-wish I had researched side effects better before filling prescription! Currently attempting to slowly taper off...cut back to 10 mg a month ago without terrible symptoms."

• gin...
• October 4, 2009

Paroxetine "Paxil changed my life. It's a miracle. The only bad things about Paxil I've experienced (in 13 years of taking it) are sexual side effects (libido loss) and severe withdrawal symptoms when I stopped taking it 'cold turkey.'"

• Anonymous
• June 27, 2009

For Depression "I have been on paroxetine for over 4 years. I feel great, I had a minor weight gain, but that is inconsequential when compared to the positive effects. I have let my daily doses lapse and admit that there would be some powerful withdrawal if one were to quit cold turkey. After speaking to my physician, she informed me that if and when we decided to cease my treatment, it would be done under her supervision and on a gradual lessening of the dose. As with any medication, I would never stop taking it until instructed to do so by my doctor. This is by far the BEST medication that I have been on for the treatment of my depression. I, and all those around me, noticed a big difference in my mood and personality."

• Kat...
• November 24, 2017

For Social Anxiety Disorder "Came back again, saw my old comment on paroxetine (katharinne24). Everything was going great until I decided to stop it for some reasons. After a week, I was feeling tremors inside of me without shaking from the inside. I have been on the pill since January 2017. So I guess it was the withdrawals. It feels terrible. I talked to my doctor about it, and he said if I stopped them, I would go into depression. Which I know I can do this without them. People who are thinking about starting paroxetine, please be open-minded about it. If you're planning to have kids later on in the future, the withdrawal symptoms are really bad. I hope this helps you guys. I know it's hard. But try without the pill. Good luck to everybody that has anxiety."

• Bel...
• November 3, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "Took successfully in 2003-4 for PTSD and associated anxiety. No side effects (other than lost libido) and came off them easily under doctor's supervision. 13 years later, I was put back on them due to depression and anxiety. This time they have been horrendous! Headaches, bones in my face aching, nausea, a 'creeping' feeling through my hands, arms, and shoulders, disorientation, racing heart, not passing urine frequently enough, and terrifying sleep problems (insomnia but feeling like you're being suffocated and having awful thoughts). After 12 days, I realized I couldn't take these symptoms anymore. On the advice of a doctor, I ceased instantly. By Day 2, the withdrawal was awful - a more intense version of the side effects. Easing now (Day 4)"

• Gyp...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 30, 2016

For Panic Disorder "My story is after 30 years of panic attacks, low self-esteem. My doctor put me on 60 mg paroxetine a day. Six months later, I fell pregnant. My doctor kept me on the same dosage. I then moved, found a new doctor, who got me to 10 mg per day. When my son was born, he had terrible withdrawal stomach cramps, among other things. From the age of 3, he started playgroup, the teachers noticed that he was different from the other kids. My son is now 13, he has autism, among other things. I do blame my medication for all this."