What it means
It treats depression, panic disorder, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. It has more anticholinergic effects than other SSRIs (dry mouth, constipation, confusion) and causes strong withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly. Its brand Paxil is on the ISMP list of names confused with Plavix (clopidogrel) and Taxol (paclitaxel).
For the nurse
Watch for suicidal thoughts in young clients (the boxed warning). Teach the client not to stop it suddenly; the dose is lowered slowly. The Beers Criteria advise avoiding it in older adults because of its anticholinergic effects.
At a glance
| Drug class | selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Paxil, Pexeva |
| Spanish | paroxetina |
| Also written | Paxil, Pexeva |
Easy to confuse with
fluoxetine
An SSRI antidepressant: a drug that raises the level of serotonin available in the brain.
clopidogrel
An antiplatelet drug that keeps platelets from clumping together to form clots.
duloxetine
An SNRI antidepressant that raises serotonin and norepinephrine; it is also used for some kinds of long-term pain.
paclitaxel
A chemotherapy drug, given by IV, that stops cancer cells from dividing.
Related terms
fluoxetine
An SSRI antidepressant: a drug that raises the level of serotonin available in the brain.
duloxetine
An SNRI antidepressant that raises serotonin and norepinephrine; it is also used for some kinds of long-term pain.
reuptake
The taking back of a chemical messenger into the nerve cell that released it.