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THE SIMPLE FACTSTM...Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride), manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, was marketed beginning in 1987 as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI/SSRIs) medication designed to relieve:
- Depression
- anxiety disorders
- bulimia nervosa
- alcoholism (alcohol)
- borderline personality disorder
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- obesity
The National Institute of Mental Health characterizes an SSRI as a mental health medication. For more information on mental health medications (e.g. SSRI/SSRIs and SNRI/SNRIs) from the NIMH, click here.
SSRI HEALTH RISKS
An SSRI is an antidepressant. However, when taken by an expectant mother during pregnancy, SSRI/SSRIs may pose significant health dangers and long term side effects for another, unknowing victim: the unborn fetus (birth injury defect). Studies have linked the use of SSRI/SSRIs during pregnancy with an increased long term risk of heart defects - atrial and ventricular septal defects (holes in the walls of the chambers of the heart) - in newborns when Paxil is taken during the first three months of pregnancy and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), a life-threatening condition that affects a baby's ability to breathe after birth.
In addition, a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome can happen when medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI/SSRIs), such as Paxil, and medicines used to treat migraine headaches known as 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonists (triptans), are used together.
SSRIs IN ACTION
Research suggests that problems with neurotransmitter activity in the brain can negatively affect a person's moods and behavior. It appears that low levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine have been linked to depression and other mood disorders. SSRI/SSRIs are believed to work by blocking the reabsorption, or reuptake, of serotonin by certain nerve cells in the brain.
Therefore, serotonin should become more available and enhance the transmission of chemicals in the brain and improve overall mood. SSRI/SSRIs are called "selective" due to the fact that they appear to only affect serotonin, not other neurotransmitters.
Side Effects of SSRIs
In general, side effects/symptoms (short/long term) may include:
- Increased sweating
- Weight gain
- diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- nervousness
- rash
- agitation
- tachycardia
- restlessness
- drowsiness
- insomnia
- nausea
- sexual dsyfunction
- headache
Since every SSRI/SSRIs has its own unique chemical makeup, individual patients may respond differently to a single SSRI. In the same token, each patient may experience varied side effects with different types of SSRIs.
OTHER SSRI MEDICATIONS
- Prozac (Fluoxetine)
- Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride), manufactured by Pfizer, Inc.
- Luvox (fluvoxamine maleate), manufactured by Solvay Pharmaceuticals.
- Celexa (citalopram hydrobromide), manufactured by Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Lexapro
For more information on Paxil, click here.
Quite frankly, the simple factsTM about the GlaxoSmithKline drug Paxil used for depression and the possible injuries and/or long term side effects - birth defects, heart defects (atrial and septal), persistent primary hypertension of newborn (PPHN), suicide and other concerns - which may be caused from taking Paxil are unacceptable.
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