Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is 20 Mg Of Paxil A Safe Dosage?
Question: I take Paxil. I have increased my dosage to 20 mg. per day as per my doctor's instructions. It seems to work well for my depression, but I am having vivid and depressing dreams. Is this a fairly frequent symptom? Are there other anti-depressants that don't have this symptom? I used to enjoy going to sleep. Now I am beginning to dread it a little.
Brief Answer:
talk to doctor, don 't stop drug, reduce dose carefully
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
I understand this could be very worrisome. The good news is Paxil helps with the depression.
One of the side effects of the drug is sleep disorders, which could be what you are suffering from. The first thing is that you need not stop the drug for fear of serious drug withdrawal effects. Secondly, you need to contact your doctor to see if you could work on a withdrawal or dose reduction plan.
At lower doses, it might produce expected reduces at once. The drug at times takes up to four weeks to produce good results. In case lower doses do not work, your doctor might opt to change the drug.
I will advice reduction of the drug dose first and watching how you respond for a couple of weeks. I think Paxil is really a good drug, since it already gives good results for you despite side effects.
Thanks and kind regards as I wish you the best of health.
Dr Bain
talk to doctor, don 't stop drug, reduce dose carefully
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
I understand this could be very worrisome. The good news is Paxil helps with the depression.
One of the side effects of the drug is sleep disorders, which could be what you are suffering from. The first thing is that you need not stop the drug for fear of serious drug withdrawal effects. Secondly, you need to contact your doctor to see if you could work on a withdrawal or dose reduction plan.
At lower doses, it might produce expected reduces at once. The drug at times takes up to four weeks to produce good results. In case lower doses do not work, your doctor might opt to change the drug.
I will advice reduction of the drug dose first and watching how you respond for a couple of weeks. I think Paxil is really a good drug, since it already gives good results for you despite side effects.
Thanks and kind regards as I wish you the best of health.
Dr Bain
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
