He suggested Paxil, any thoughts?

Mom3

After reading all the posts under "ANTIDEPRESSANTS" I realized there are many, many different types. My doctor has suggested a low dose of Paxil. What are your thoughts on Paxil? If you've been on it, what are some side effects? Do people react differently to the same drug? I'm sorry if I'm asking a gillion questions, I just don't know about these drugs. Thank you for your input.

lkc

Hi D, I  was originally on Effexor and then switched to paxil with no problems.

The first thing is that antidepressants are a kind of hit or miss thing. You never know if it will be effective for you unitil you try it.. It is not unusaul to try a couple of Rxs before you " hit" on the right one for you.

The second thing is paxil is not indicated for Hormone Pos ladies. I believe it negatively impacts the efficacy of Tamoxifen. {Please talk to you onc about this ( I am er/pr neg, so no problems for me).

Good Luck!

KerryMac

If you are on Tamoxifen, I would not go onto Paxil. If you are on an AI, I am not sure if there is an interaction.

http://www.healthzone.ca/health/newsfeatures/research/article/762510--paxil-blocks-effect-of-breast-cancer-drug?bn=1 

Blundin2005

Paxil uses the same P450 enzyme in the liver to metabolize as Arimidex and most other medicines.  This means that the effectiveness of the medicine can be diminished as the two via for the same enzyme.  Ask your doctor.

Check this table:  http://medicine.iupui.edu/clinpharm/ddis/table.asp (a bc sister of several years ago gave us this information.)

My experience with Paxil was that to stop it was a very difficult withdrawl process of several months.  Zoloft is a safer choice although non are without risk.  I used Zoloft for a period of time and when I stopped in the manner they suggested, it was far better than with Paxil.   I'll never take Paxil again.

apple

my husband (not a cancer patient) had an extremely weird nightmare side effect with Paxil and stopped it after the 2nd nite.

Anonymous

I've heard Paxil is not for those of us with ER+ & PR+ diagnosis.  I'm wondering why your doctor would choose Paxil.  Are you on AI's?

 Barb

navygirl

My experience with Paxil was a hideous amount of weight gain; I went from 120lbs to 200lbs in a year, and had a hard time getting off of it. My bestest friend went on it 4 years ago, and she had the same thing happen. It's something to consider. It also affected my libido! 

smithlme

I was on Paxil for 2 1/2 years, many years ago. The first time I noticed it working was 10 days after I started taking it. It takes several days for it to start working. I was able to read my kids a story without stumbling over the words. I could tell I was "annoyed" and not angry. Anger was the only emotion I felt for years, before taking it. The one SE I didn't like was insomnia. Once I went off of it, I was able to sleep again, until I was diagnosed 3 years ago. Now I take sleeping pills so I can turn my monkey mind off and sleep.

I was weaned off of Paxil gradually and had no problems stopping. It effects everyone differently so you're experience will be yours. 

Linda

Mom3

Yes, I'm on Arimidex. Would Paxil make it less effective?

Blundin2005

http://medicine.iupui.edu/clinpharm/ddis/table.asp Drug Interactions

CYTOCHROME P450 DRUG INTERACTION TABLE [ PDF Format ]

Version 5.0 released on January 12, 2009.
Overview

This table is designed as a hypothesis testing, teaching and reference tool for physicians and researchers interested in drug interactions that are the result of competition for, or effects on the human cytochrome P450 system.

Clinicians and health care providers may find an abbreviated clinical table designed for practical use during prescribing more useful.

The table contains lists of drugs in columns under the designation of specific cytochrome P450 isoforms. A drug appears in a column if there is published evidence that it is metabolized, at least in part, via that isoform. It does not necessarily follow that the isoform is the principal metabolic pathway in vivo, or that alterations in the rate of the metabolic reaction catalyzed by that isoform will have large effects on the pharmacokinetics of the drug.

Reference

If you use this site in your work, please acknowledge it by citing the following reference:

Flockhart DA. Drug Interactions: Cytochrome P450 Drug Interaction Table. Indiana University School of Medicine (2007). http://medicine.iupui.edu/clinpharm/ddis/table.asp. Accessed [date].