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Does Paxil For Anxiety Cause Loss Of Appetite?
Question: I have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I started taking Paxil and I have not been hungry for four days. And I have had to use Ativan 1mg twice a day. And I am worried about becoming dependent on Ativan. Any word how long the decreased appetite will last? And when the beneficial actions will start?
Brief Answer:
at least 2 weeks to see some improvement
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
In many patients paxil causes loss of appetite. In some however is causes weight gain also.
As soon as effect of paxil on anxiety will start, you will feel good and appetite will improve.It will not take more than 2 weeks. But till then please continue your meal regularly as much as possible.
We usually do not stop medicine because of this side effect. In some patients this side effect is rather helpful as they are already overweight.
Paxil will show noticeable improvement after 2 weeks.
2 mg ativan per day is not high dose. You can taper off and stop after paxil shows effect. Do not worry about dependence as it is not so much as xanax and when taken under medical supervision.
Hope I have answered your query , I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
at least 2 weeks to see some improvement
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
In many patients paxil causes loss of appetite. In some however is causes weight gain also.
As soon as effect of paxil on anxiety will start, you will feel good and appetite will improve.It will not take more than 2 weeks. But till then please continue your meal regularly as much as possible.
We usually do not stop medicine because of this side effect. In some patients this side effect is rather helpful as they are already overweight.
Paxil will show noticeable improvement after 2 weeks.
2 mg ativan per day is not high dose. You can taper off and stop after paxil shows effect. Do not worry about dependence as it is not so much as xanax and when taken under medical supervision.
Hope I have answered your query , I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I think i am suffering from ssri discontinuation syndrome. I abruptly stopped using a while back. Any thoughts on this?
Brief Answer:
yes it may cause but generally not only symptom
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for follow up.
SSRI discontinuation syndrome can cause loss of appetite.Long term Paroxetine use is more prone to serotonin discontinuation syndrome than other SSRIs. But it is not only symptoms.The most common presentation is flu like symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, sweating etc.And symptoms starts within 24 to 72 hours of stopping drug abruptly.
I hope this is useful answer. Feel free to ask if more queries.
take care.
yes it may cause but generally not only symptom
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for follow up.
SSRI discontinuation syndrome can cause loss of appetite.Long term Paroxetine use is more prone to serotonin discontinuation syndrome than other SSRIs. But it is not only symptoms.The most common presentation is flu like symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, sweating etc.And symptoms starts within 24 to 72 hours of stopping drug abruptly.
I hope this is useful answer. Feel free to ask if more queries.
take care.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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