| Popular serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) | | | | Long-Term Effects of Paxil Use |
| antidepressant drug Paxil has been linked to SSRI | | | | Though most patients who experience SSRI |
| Discontinuation Syndrome, a severe and | | | | Discontinuation Syndrome eventually get past |
| sometimes life-threatening condition that occurs | | | | their side effects, some patients who discontinue |
| upon withdrawal from the drug. | | | | Paxil and other SSRIs experience long-term |
| This is just one of many recent Paxil side effects, | | | | effects. These include low-grade symptoms, such |
| such as complications in pregnancy, increased risk | | | | as persistent tinnitus or problems with |
| of suicide and serotonin syndrome, that have | | | | concentration and memory, and more persistent |
| brought the drug and its manufacturer, | | | | and severe symptoms such as anxiety, sexual |
| GlaxoSmithKline, under fire. | | | | dysfunction, and others and may be present for |
| How Does SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome Occur? | | | | the long-term. |
| SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome occurs within 24 | | | | Not only can the withdrawal condition occur nearly |
| hours to one week of cessation of Paxil or similar | | | | two years after discontinuing use of Paxil, some |
| SSRI drugs. The syndrome is connected to a | | | | patients of the drug hav experienced indefinite |
| drug's "elimination half-life", the period of time | | | | withdrawals. The medical community remains |
| necessary before a pharmaceutical agent is | | | | unprepared for addressing the SSRI |
| completely out of a patient's system. | | | | Discontinuation Syndrome condition. |
| Paxil has a particularly long half-life and a higher | | | | Suicidal Ideation: A Major Risk |
| incidence rate of SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome. | | | | SSRIs have notorious links to increased risks of |
| While SSRIs like Paxil have been touted as | | | | suicide in patients, sometimes children, especially |
| non-addictive, the withdrawal syndrome mimics | | | | those withdrawing from the drug. Individuals under |
| some typical facets of withdrawal from addictive | | | | the age of 18 should not receive a prescription |
| drugs such as alcohol or opiates and creates | | | | for Paxil because of the unknown risks |
| powerful symptoms including: | | | | associated; however, new warnings indicate that |
| * Gastrointestinal disturbances, including nausea or | | | | suicidal ideation is a risk in adults taking Paxil, |
| diarrhea; | | | | especially those between the ages of 18 and 30. |
| * Suicidal thoughts and tendencies, moodiness, | | | | Due to its continuing link with high risks of suicide |
| irritability, anger/aggression, mood swings including | | | | and suicidal ideation, it is strongly recommended |
| tearfulness to mania; | | | | that patients who discontinue the use of Paxil do |
| * Sensory and movement disorders, such as | | | | so under controlled medical circumstances and |
| vertigo, trembling, dizziness, tingling and numbness, | | | | with a doctor's supervision. |
| difficulty moving or walking, and ringing of the | | | | If You've Been Affected |
| ears (tinnitus); and | | | | If you have suffered from SSRI Discontinuation |
| * Sleep disorders, such as fatigue, narcolepsy, | | | | Syndrome or other Paxil side effects, you may |
| insomnia or vivid dreams. | | | | be able to recover the costs of your medical care |
| Since the withdrawal symptoms of Paxil can be | | | | and lost wages by filing a Paxil lawsuit. Locating an |
| so strong, patients are encouraged to speak with | | | | experienced pharmaceutical drug law firm can |
| their health care provider before going off the | | | | offer assistance to a victim with this serious side |
| drug and are advised not to stop the drug | | | | effect. Your Paxil attorney can tell you whether |
| suddenly. | | | | you have a claim and help you file suit. A Paxil |
| Speaking to your doctor about the eventual | | | | lawyer may also help you obtain compensation |
| decrease of Paxil dosage will help ease a patient | | | | for your SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome and Paxil |
| off of the antidepressant and increase avoidance | | | | side effects, which may include cash payments |
| of the withdrawal conditions; however, Paxil | | | | for pain and suffering, medications and current |
| tapering has not been proven to prevent the | | | | and future medical costs. |
| symptoms of SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome. | | | | |