TREATMENT DATABASE

Paroxetine (Paxil) is an SSRI antidepressant which is similar to Prozac. It has a shorter half-life than Prozac, so it leaves the system more quickly.  Paroxetine is prescribed for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders. 

USES IN ME/CFS: Paxil has been used to treat symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, mood swings, pain, sleep disorders, and immune dysfunction.

As with other SSRIs, patient experiences vary widely. Some patients report an increase in energy and relief from pain, while others report nausea, loss of appetite, a “floating feeling,” and hormonal complications. Withdrawal symptoms of paroxetine may be intense, producing flu-like symptoms, nausea, irritability, anxiety, and crying jags. A few patients have mentioned that they felt as bad while taking these drugs as they did with other antidepressants, reminding us that many patients cannot tolerate any form of antidepressant. For these patients, alternative treatments have been suggested, including vitamins, amino acids, herbs, and other complementary therapies.

Treatment rating for Paxil (paroxetine)