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What Causes Excessive Hunger While On Paxil?

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Posted on Sat, 9 Aug 2014
Question: Is it bad that im always hungry lately? I started paxil about 2.5 months ago for anxiety and i have been taking pantaloc consistantly for heart burn. Im 180 pounds, 5'11". These last 2 weeks ive been eating big lunches and big dinners and then late at night im hungry again.. I have anxiety so im asking because i think something is wrong with me for being so hungry like stomach cancer or something
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Stomach

Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your complaints.

Paxil has been reported to increase appetite in about 2 to 4 % of cases. So I would advise you to check with the prescribing doctor if this can be addressed in any way.

However, it would still be worthwhile looking into this symptom. When I see someone who presents to me with this set of complaints I typically order the following blood tests:

CBC
Electrolytes
Liver function tests
Kidney function tests
TSH
Glucose

And then I also consider doing an Ultrasound examination of the abdomen. Sometimes an upper gut 'Endoscopy' test is warranted to rule out inflammation of the gut lining. Ulcers in the duodenum make one feel like eating perpetually to alleviate the symptoms.

Check with your doctor how to proceed with this

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shehzad Topiwala

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 1663 Questions

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What Causes Excessive Hunger While On Paxil?

Brief Answer: Stomach Detailed Answer: Sorry to learn about your complaints. Paxil has been reported to increase appetite in about 2 to 4 % of cases. So I would advise you to check with the prescribing doctor if this can be addressed in any way. However, it would still be worthwhile looking into this symptom. When I see someone who presents to me with this set of complaints I typically order the following blood tests: CBC Electrolytes Liver function tests Kidney function tests TSH Glucose And then I also consider doing an Ultrasound examination of the abdomen. Sometimes an upper gut 'Endoscopy' test is warranted to rule out inflammation of the gut lining. Ulcers in the duodenum make one feel like eating perpetually to alleviate the symptoms. Check with your doctor how to proceed with this