Paxil (generic name: paroxetine HCI) is most commonly used to treat depression but is also prescribed to treat anxiety, panic, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Paxil has been linked with suicide, suicidal ideation, and violence in children and teenagers. It has also been associated with terrible withdrawal symptoms.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning for Paxil, stating that the drug can cause suicide and violence in children and teenagers. This followed a report issued by Britain's Department of Health saying that evidence provided by the drug company, from nine studies based on more than 1,000 youngsters, shows there is an increase in the rate of self harm and potentially suicidal behavior in those under 18 taking Paxil.
The British regulators wrote in a statement: "It has become clear that the benefits of Seroxat in children for the treatment of depressive illness do not outweigh these risks." Additionally, Paxil has long been associated with difficult withdrawal side effects, leaving patients virtually addicted to the drug. Recently, The British drug agency required maker GlaxoSmithKline to remove a statement on its patient label saying that the drug was not addictive.
Paxil has been associated with difficult withdrawal side effects. Often these effects are experienced just hours after a missed dose. Paxil withdrawal symptoms include:
- "flu-like" syndrome
- anxiety
- dizziness
- fatigue
- headache
- migraine-like feelings
- nerves jangling when moving eyes
- continuous indigestion
- neck and back pain
- psychotic features such as visual and/or aural hallucinations/illusions
- insomnia
- nausea
- restlessness
- "electrical shock"-like phenomena/electrical surges or shocks through the head and/or body
- hyper-sensitivity of the nervous system to light, sound, colors and stressors
- tremors, tinnitus, and a vertiginous-like experience
- depressive thoughts
- suicidal thoughts
- homicidal thoughts
- extreme anger
- severe agitation
- extreme irritability
- "over-reacting"
- ringing in ears and throbbing in head
- vomiting
- paranoia
- aggressive behavior
- “rollercoaster” emotions rapidly following one other”
- out-of-character behavior
- severe malaise
- general dysphoria
- derealization
- panic attacks
Two years ago, a Wyoming jury awarded $6.4 million to the family of a patient taking the pill who killed his wife, daughter, and granddaughter. It is estimated that almost 17 million people worldwide have been treated with Paxil.
