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Is Insomnia A Side Effect Of Paroxetine Tablet?
Question: I was given paroxetine tablets for anxiety depression menopausal symptoms and was told it would help my waking up at 4:00 am. But has just finished reading the side affects only to find worrying info abou the about problems of mine listed as side affects.
Brief Answer:
Yes, some of the reasons for treatment are also possible side effects.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
I am sorry you are having trouble with depression, anxiety, and early awakening. These can all go together.
Paroxetine, which is one of the older SSRIs, would not be my first choice for an anti anxiety/antidepressant with best side effect profile. It is not, however, one of the worst when it comes to insomnia (such as more stimulating antidepressants like bupropion) so if you want to go ahead and try it it may be ok. How a person reacts can be highly individualistic.
I personally prefer to recommend escitalopram (Lexapro), for treatment of depression and anxiety. When depression and anxiety are helped, then sleep is usually improved too. Escitalopram has one of the best side effect profiles of all antidepressants. For people who tend to be sensitive to meds, and who have a considerable amount of anxiety, I usually start them at half the recommended dose (5 mg) and increase to 10 mg after 1 week. This does delay when the medication will start producing benefit, but helps make insure that it will be more tolerable.
Here is a comparison of SSRIs, based on research studies: http://www.emedexpert.com/compare/ssris.shtml
If sleep is the biggest issue, one of the earlier classes of antidepressants, the tricyclics, can be helpful. These meds include amitriptyline and nortriptyline. They have more side effects in general when starting them (so start low and increase slowly), but can improve sleep architecture. They can be quite sedating at first, so you have to decide if that would be acceptable to you.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Yes, some of the reasons for treatment are also possible side effects.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
I am sorry you are having trouble with depression, anxiety, and early awakening. These can all go together.
Paroxetine, which is one of the older SSRIs, would not be my first choice for an anti anxiety/antidepressant with best side effect profile. It is not, however, one of the worst when it comes to insomnia (such as more stimulating antidepressants like bupropion) so if you want to go ahead and try it it may be ok. How a person reacts can be highly individualistic.
I personally prefer to recommend escitalopram (Lexapro), for treatment of depression and anxiety. When depression and anxiety are helped, then sleep is usually improved too. Escitalopram has one of the best side effect profiles of all antidepressants. For people who tend to be sensitive to meds, and who have a considerable amount of anxiety, I usually start them at half the recommended dose (5 mg) and increase to 10 mg after 1 week. This does delay when the medication will start producing benefit, but helps make insure that it will be more tolerable.
Here is a comparison of SSRIs, based on research studies: http://www.emedexpert.com/compare/ssris.shtml
If sleep is the biggest issue, one of the earlier classes of antidepressants, the tricyclics, can be helpful. These meds include amitriptyline and nortriptyline. They have more side effects in general when starting them (so start low and increase slowly), but can improve sleep architecture. They can be quite sedating at first, so you have to decide if that would be acceptable to you.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the information. I did start the medication yesterday and have had another tablet this morning. It is causing me to feel very nauseous. So I took it with food like the label suggested. Should a have only a half a tablet tomorrow if I feel nauseous today? Or would that be not a good idea given I have had one whole tablet for 2 days? Results from the medication should take a few weeks I was told. Or does that very with different people? I also have a dreadful taste in my mouth. Is that part of it also?
Brief Answer:
If still having nausea, take half for a couple weeks.
Detailed Answer:
If you have continued nausea, take half a tablet for about 14 days. This may delay the onset of benefit somewhat, which takes a few weeks (3-4), but may not delay it entirely.
It is safe for you to decrease the dose given that you have only been on it (whole tablet) for 2 doses.
The bad taste in the mouth may be from the nausea and possible reflux. This might go away with the decreased dose and may resolve in a couple weeks after your body gets used to it.
That it takes a few weeks to see results does not vary greatly between people.
If still having nausea, take half for a couple weeks.
Detailed Answer:
If you have continued nausea, take half a tablet for about 14 days. This may delay the onset of benefit somewhat, which takes a few weeks (3-4), but may not delay it entirely.
It is safe for you to decrease the dose given that you have only been on it (whole tablet) for 2 doses.
The bad taste in the mouth may be from the nausea and possible reflux. This might go away with the decreased dose and may resolve in a couple weeks after your body gets used to it.
That it takes a few weeks to see results does not vary greatly between people.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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