Hello - I Have Recently Started Taking Paxil 10 Mg

Posted on Wed, 13 Nov 2019

Question: Hello - I have recently started taking Paxil 10 mg - about 7 days ago. My doctor had me switch from zoloft 37.5 mg which was not working well for me. I am very sensitive to meds hence the very small doses. My doctor said it was fine that I just switch over to taking the paxil, no need to taper off the zoloft because of the doses and the similarity in the meds in general. However my side effects are bad, since the past few days, extreme exhaustion, nausea, general blah feeling, and headaches. Please let me know since I do still have some of the zoloft left if i should change the way i transition into the new medication. I have two small kids so it is tough to be so out of it. Please get back to me.

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You can take 25 mg tablet of zoloft for 2 weeks.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to Ask a doctor service.
I read your query and here is my advice.

I think the side effects you are experiencing may be caused because of suddenly stopping zoloft.
Possibly you should have tampered the dosage gradually in order to limit the side effects.
Paxil may need a bit longer to work. You may need up to two weeks to get better and your body will get used to it.
If you can't wait for two weeks you can take half dosage of zoloft or 25 mg for 2 weeks and then stop it.
Taking paxil doesn't interact with zoloft.

Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Take zoloft and paxil for two weeks.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
I think you should take 25 mg of zoloft and 10 mg of paxil for two weeks.
Then you can stop zoloft and continue to take only paxil 10 mg.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (18 minutes later)

I am not clear - should i take both? 25 of zoloft plus 10 paxil? for how long? please provde specifics for me. thanks

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (29 minutes later)

Ok thank you. I have been doing just Paxil for one week and just last few days have been awful. So beginning today I should do 25 mg of Zoloft plus 10 mg of Paxil for two weeks and then after two weeks I should just take Paxil. Is this right?

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Continue with Paxil and Zoloft for two weeks.

Detailed Answer:
OK, just continue with Paxil and 25 mg of Zoloft for two weeks.

Wishing you good health
Best regards.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee