Paroxetine tablets can cause serious side effects, including:
See, “What is the most important information I should know about paroxetine tablets?”
Serotonin syndrome. A potentially life-threatening problem called serotonin syndrome can happen when you take paroxetine tablets with certain other medicines. See, “Who should not take paroxetine tablets?” Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any of the following signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome:
• agitation
• sweating
• seeing or hearing things that are not real (hallucinations)
• flushing
• confusion
• high body temperature (hyperthermia)
• coma
• shaking (tremors), stiff muscles, or muscle twitching
• fast heart beat
• loss of coordination
• changes in blood pressure
• seizures
• dizziness
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Eye problems (angle-closure glaucoma). Paroxetine tablets may cause a type of eye problem called angle-closure glaucoma in people with certain other eye conditions. You may want to undergo an eye examination to see if you are at risk and receive preventative treatment if you are. Call your healthcare provider if you have eye pain, changes in your vision, or swelling or redness in or around the eye.
Medicine interactions. Taking paroxetine tablets with certain other medicines including thioridazine and pimozide may increase the risk of developing a serious heart problem called QT prolongation.
Seizures (convulsions).
Manic episodes. Manic episodes may happen in people with bipolar disorder who take paroxetine tablets. Symptoms may include:
• greatly increased energy
• severe problems sleeping
• racing thoughts
• reckless behavior
• unusually grand ideas
• excessive happiness or irritability
• talking more or faster than usual
Discontinuation syndrome. Suddenly stopping paroxetine tablets may cause you to have serious side effects. Your healthcare provider may want to decrease your dose slowly. Symptoms may include:
• nausea
• electric shock feeling (paresthesia)
• tiredness
• sweating
• tremor
• problems sleeping
• changes in your mood
• anxiety
• hypomania
• irritability and agitation
• confusion
• ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
• dizziness
• headache
• seizures
Low sodium levels in your blood (hyponatremia). Low sodium levels in your blood that may be serious and may cause death, can happen during treatment with paroxetine tablets. Elderly people and people who take certain medicines may be at a greater risk for developing low sodium levels in your blood. Signs and symptoms may include:
headache
difficulty concentrating
memory changes
confusion
weakness and unsteadiness on your feet which can lead to falls
In more severe or more sudden cases, signs and symptoms include:
seeing or hearing things that are not real (hallucinations)
fainting
seizures
coma
stopping breathing (respiratory arrest)
Abnormal bleeding. Taking paroxetine tablets with aspirin, NSAIDs, or blood thinners may increase this risk. Tell your healthcare provider about any unusual bleeding or bruising.
Bone fractures.
Sexual problems (dysfunction). Taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including paroxetine tablets, may cause sexual problems.
Symptoms in males may include:
Delayed ejaculation or inability to have an ejaculation
Decreased sex drive
Problems getting or keeping an erection
Symptoms in females may include:
Decreased sex drive
Delayed orgasm or inability to have an orgasm
Talk to your healthcare provider if you develop any changes in your sexual function or if you have any questions or concerns about sexual problems during treatment with paroxetine tablets. There may be treatments your healthcare provider can suggest.
The most common side effects of paroxetine tablets include:
male and female sexual function problems
• weakness (asthenia)
• constipation
• decreased appetite
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• infection
• problems sleeping
• nausea
• nervousness
• sleepiness
• sweating
• shaking (tremor)
• yawning
These are not all the possible side effects of paroxetine tablets.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.