Paxil is an antidepressant that can treat mood conditions, such as anxiety and depression, but can be prescribed off-label for premature ejaculation (PE). ‘Off-label’ simply means that the medicine isn’t technically licensed to treat that condition, but there’s evidence to show that it’s safe and effective for it.
PE is a common sexual condition affecting around 30% of men.[1] It’s defined as the inability to control ejaculation, often occurring within one minute of vaginal penetration.[1] This can make sexual intimacy challenging and uncomfortable.
Paxil contains the active drug paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain to delay ejaculation.[2]
How does Paxil work?
PE is usually caused by one of two main factors: psychological or biological. Psychological factors include depression, anxiety and mood changes, while biological factors include things like low levels of serotonin, hormonal imbalances and diabetes.[1]
Paroxetine can address both psychological and biological factors by increasing serotonin levels. It prevents the quick reabsorption of serotonin into nerve cells, leading to a prolonged presence of serotonin between the nerve cells (called the synapse). The extended presence of serotonin outside the cells can effectively delay ejaculation. Additionally, serotonin is a mood regulator, so the prolonged presence of serotonin can be beneficial in cases where PE is linked to depression.[2]
What doses of Paxil are there?
Paxil tablets are available in three doses: 10mg, 20mg, 30mg and 40mg. They come as extended-release tablets, which means the drug is gradually released throughout the day, allowing a prolonged effect. As a result, you’ll only need one dose a day. There’s also a 10 mg oral suspension available.
Treated trusted source:
Crowdis M, Leslie SW, Nazir S. Premature Ejaculation. [Updated 2023 May 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
Zhang, D., et al. (2019). Paroxetine in the treatment of premature ejaculation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Urology, 19.
This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
This page was medically reviewed by Dr. Joseph Palumbo on September 16, 2024. Next review due on September 16, 2027.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
PaxilParoxetine hydrochloride
How to take Paxil
Swallow Paxil in the morning with a glass of water, with or without food. Your initial dosage will generally be 10mg, which can then be increased by 10mg increments if needed.
What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Paxil?
If you accidentally took more than one dose of Paxil, contact your doctor straight away. Taking too much can cause overdose symptoms, such as tightening of muscles and a fever.
If you forget to take a dose but you remember before you go to bed, take the missed dose straight away and carry on with your normal dosing schedule. However, if you remember during the night you forgot to take it, skip the missed dose. Taking two pills close to one another might cause overdose symptoms.Â
This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
This page was medically reviewed by Dr. Joseph Palumbo on September 16, 2024. Next review due on September 16, 2027.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
PaxilParoxetine hydrochloride
Paxil isn’t suitable for everyone, and there are some things that you need to be aware of when taking it.
Here’s all the official info on it. If anything is unclear, let our clinician know, and they can talk with you about it.
PaxilParoxetine hydrochloride
Paxil: FAQ
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
How does Paxil affect weight?
Answer:
Paxil might cause changes in your weight. Initially, you might experience weight loss as it can decrease your appetite. But as you continue to take it, your appetite will likely return.
Paroxetine is an anticholinergic, which means it inhibits the activity of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating your appetite. This can lead to changes in appetite, such as an increase in cravings, which could result in weight gain.
In one study, people taking paroxetine had an average weight gain of 3.6%. This was higher than other SSRI antidepressants, such as sertraline (Zoloft) which had a 1% increase, and fluoxetine (Prozac) which actually had a 0.2% decrease.[2]
But it’s important to note that everyone's experience with Paxil will be different, not everyone will get the same side effects.
Is there a generic version of Paxil?
Answer:
Yes, you can get a generic version of Paxil. Like most generic drugs, it simply goes by the name of its active ingredient: Paroxetine. They’re both equally effective and there isn't much difference between the two, except price and appearance. It’s up to you what you choose, but the generic version is often cheaper than the branded version.
How does Paxil differ from other medicines for premature ejaculation?
Answer:
Paxil is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used off-label to treat PE. It works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, similar to other SSRIs such as Zoloft (sertraline), Lexapro (escitalopram), and Prozac (fluoxetine). As they all contain different active ingredients, there are plenty of options for you to try if one doesn’t suit you.
When choosing between SSRIs, there are some things you can look at, such as the half-life. The shorter the half-life the more likely you are to get intense withdrawal symptoms. Out of the four, Paxil has the shortest half-life (21 hours) and Prozac has the longest (1-4 days). This can also make Prozac take longer to start working when compared to Paxil.
But if you’d rather not take a pill for PE, you can get EMLA cream, which is applied directly to your penis. It numbs the area to reduce any sensation, helping you last longer in bed. And as it works topically you’re less likely to get serious side effects.
What are the side effects of Paxil?
Answer:
As with any drug, Paxil can cause side effects for some people. The most common side effects include:
male and female sexual function problems;Â Â
weakness;
constipation;Â Â
decreased appetite;
diarrhea;Â Â
dizziness;
dry mouth;
sleeping problems;
nausea;
nervousness;Â
sweating;
yawning; and:
shaking.
There’s also a chance of getting more serious side effects, like serotonin syndrome. This is when you have too much serotonin in your brain, which can cause hallucinations, a fast heart rate and confusion. If you experience any of these symptoms (for the full list see the patient package insert), contact your doctor straight away, or go to your local emergency department.
Does Paxil cause withdrawal symptoms?
Answer:
You might get withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking Paxil. Your doctor can help you avoid this by gradually decreasing your dose, so your body can adjust to not taking it anymore.
If you do get withdrawal symptoms, they tend to be mild and should go away within a couple of days, but for some people, it might be severe. Some symptoms include headaches, dizziness, anxiety and sleep disturbances.[1]
Our experts continually monitor new findings in health and medicine, and we update our articles when new info becomes available.
Sep 15, 2024
Published by: The Treated Content Team.Medically reviewed by: Dr. Joseph Palumbo, Senior Medical Adviser
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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Dr. Joseph Palumbo
Senior Medical Adviser
Joseph joined Treated in 2023, and is one of the lead doctors providing prescribing services for the platform.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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