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Proper Use
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor to benefit your condition as much as possible. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
This medicine should come with a medication guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions.
Paroxetine may be taken with or without food or on a full or empty stomach. However, if your doctor tells you to take the medicine a certain way, take it exactly as directed.
You may have to take paroxetine for several weeks before you begin to feel better. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits during this time. Also, if you are taking paroxetine for depression, you will probably need to continue taking it for at least 6 months to help prevent the depression from returning.
If you are taking the oral suspension, shake the bottle well before measuring each dose. Use a small measuring cup or a measuring spoon to measure each dose. The teaspoons and tablespoons that are used for serving and eating food do not measure exact amounts.
Swallow the extended-release tablets or tabletswhole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (suspension):
- For depression:
- Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg (25 mL) a day.
- Older adults—At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg (20 mL) a day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For generalized anxiety disorder:
- Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg (25 mL) a day.
- Older adults—At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg (20 mL) a day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For obsessive-compulsive disorder:
- Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mg (30 mL) a day.
- Older adults—At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg (20 mL) a day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For panic disorder:
- Adults—At first, 10 milligrams (mg) (5 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mg (30 mL) a day.
- Older adults—At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg (20 mL) a day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For posttraumatic stress disorder:
- Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg (25 mL) a day.
- Older adults—At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg (20 mL) a day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For social anxiety disorder:
- Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning.
- Older adults—At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 20 mg (10 mL) a day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For depression:
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For depression:
- Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg a day.
- Older adults—At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg a day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For generalized anxiety disorder:
- Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg a day.
- Older adults—At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg a day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For obsessive-compulsive disorder:
- Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 60 mg a day.
- Older adults—At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg a day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For panic disorder:
- Adults—At first, 10 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mg a day.
- Older adults—At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg a day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For posttraumatic stress disorder:
- Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 50 mg a day.
- Older adults—At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg a day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For social anxiety disorder:
- Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning.
- Older adults—At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 20 mg a day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For depression:
- For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
- For depression:
- Adults—At first, 25 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 62.5 mg a day.
- Older adults—At first, 12.5 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg a day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For panic disorder:
- Adults—At first, 12.5 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 75 mg a day.
- Older adults—At first, 12.5 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg a day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For social anxiety disorder:
- Adults—At first, 12.5 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 37.5 mg a day.
- Older adults—At first, 12.5 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 37.5 mg a day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For premenstrual dysphoric disorder:
- Adults—At first, 12.5 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 25 mg a day.
- Older adults and children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For depression:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
