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Paroxetine Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 3, 2023.

Applies to the following strengths: 20 mg; 30 mg; 40 mg; 10 mg/5 mL; 12.5 mg; 25 mg; 37.5 mg; 10 mg; 7.5 mg; mesylate 10 mg; mesylate 20 mg; mesylate 30 mg; mesylate 40 mg

Usual Adult Dose for Depression

Immediate-release (IR) tablets and suspension:


Controlled-release (CR) tablets:

Duration: Acute episodes of major depressive disorder require several months or longer of sustained pharmacologic therapy; systemic evaluation has shown that efficacy was maintained for up to 1 year.

Comments:

Use: Treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD)

Usual Adult Dose for Major Depressive Disorder

Immediate-release (IR) tablets and suspension:


Controlled-release (CR) tablets:

Duration: Acute episodes of major depressive disorder require several months or longer of sustained pharmacologic therapy; systemic evaluation has shown that efficacy was maintained for up to 1 year.

Comments:

Use: Treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD)

Usual Adult Dose for Social Anxiety Disorder

IR tablets and suspension:


CR tablets:

Duration: Efficacy has been demonstrated for up to 12 weeks; being a chronic condition, continuation of treatment beyond this time may be considered in responding patients.

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Panic Disorder

IR tablets and suspension:


CR tablets:

Duration: Efficacy has been demonstrated for up to 12 weeks; being a chronic condition, continuation of treatment beyond this time may be considered in responding patients.

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

CR tablets:
Continuous regimen:


Cyclic regimen:

Duration: Efficacy has been demonstrated for up to 3 menstrual cycles; continuation of treatment beyond this time may be considered in responding patients

Comment: The daily dose may be increased in 12.5 mg increments at weekly intervals, according to clinical response and tolerability.

Use: Treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

Usual Adult Dose for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

IR tablets and suspension:


Comments:

Use: Treatment of compulsions and/or obsessions in patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) that are causing marked distress, significantly interfere with occupational/social functioning, or are time consuming

Usual Adult Dose for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

IR tablets and suspension:


Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

IR tablets and suspension:


Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Postmenopausal Symptoms

Mesylate:


Comment: Safety and efficacy of mesylate capsules have not been established in the treatment of psychiatric conditions (e.g., depression, GAD, MDD, OCD, PTSD, SAD)

Use: Treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) associated with menopause

Usual Geriatric Dose for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

IR tablets and suspension:


Comments:

Uses:

Usual Geriatric Dose for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

IR tablets and suspension:


Comments:

Uses:

Usual Geriatric Dose for Social Anxiety Disorder

IR tablets and suspension:


Comments:

Uses:

Usual Geriatric Dose for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

IR tablets and suspension:


Comments:

Uses:

Usual Geriatric Dose for Depression

IR tablets and suspension:


CR tablets:
Initial dose: 12.5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 12.5 to 50 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 50 mg/day

Duration:

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Geriatric Dose for Panic Disorder

IR tablets and suspension:


CR tablets:
Initial dose: 12.5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 12.5 to 50 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 50 mg/day

Duration:

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Geriatric Dose for Major Depressive Disorder

IR tablets and suspension:


CR tablets:
Initial dose: 12.5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 12.5 to 50 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 50 mg/day

Duration:

Comments:

Uses:

Renal Dose Adjustments

Capsules: No adjustment recommended.

IR tablets and suspension:
Mild to moderate renal dysfunction: No adjustment recommended.
Severe renal dysfunction (CrCl less than 30 mL/min):


CR tablets:

Liver Dose Adjustments

Capsules: No adjustment recommended.

MILD TO MODERATE LIVER DYSFUNCTION:
IR tablets and suspension: No adjustment recommended.
CR tablets: Data not available

SEVERE LIVER DYSFUNCTION:
IR tablets and suspension:


CR tablets:

Dose Adjustments

Dose adjustments should be made to maintain the patient on the lowest effective dose.

Concomitant use of drugs metabolized by CYP450 2D6:


Switching between a MAOI and this drug: At least 14 days should elapse between ceasing one of these medicines and starting the other.

Treatment withdrawal:

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS:


US BOXED WARNINGS:
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS:
Recommendations:

Safety and efficacy have not been established in pediatric patients.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:


Storage requirements:

General:

Monitoring:

Patient advice:

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.