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Paroxetine for Anxiety User Reviews (Page 4)

Brand names: Paxil, Paxil CR, Brisdelle

Paroxetine has an average rating of 7.2 out of 10 from a total of 354 reviews for the treatment of Anxiety. 64% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 18% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Paroxetine

  • Momx
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • March 5, 2024

Paxil (paroxetine) "Tried Lexapro first. Didn’t work and left me like a zombie. I’ve now been on Paroxetine for 5 years. I’ll never come off. I did gain weight but I’ll still not come off. Here’s why… bonus side effect has been NO MORE SINUS INFECTIONS! Within 10 minutes of taking this drug, an audible sound came from my nose as the pressure released. The doctor asked me how I felt… well… after 45 years of 4-6 sinus infections a year that left me in a hopeless state… yeah… I feel great. Not one doctor believes me, and my ENT mocked me. Anyway… 5 years sinus infection free, so if anyone thinks I’m coming off this stuff… think again… lol"

10 / 10
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  • CSano
  • August 4, 2019

"I am 36 years old man, and I was suddenly hit by violent panic attacks that led me me to the ER 3 times in April 2017. After 2 months of suffering, my doctor put me on Paroxetine 10 mg for 1 week, then 20 mg the next week. Yes the first couple of weeks I had some side effects but nothing severe. Then after 6 weeks I started to feel that the burden has completely disappeared. Meanwhile I followed CBT sessions, which made me realise that I was suffering from severe anxiety since I was 8 years old but did not know about it. To sum up, after 1 year, Paroxetine has been a life changer to me, no more ridiculous overthinking, no more rumination about past negative events, and most importantly no more anxiety and panic attacks. I feel a better version of my old self. Trust me SSRIs work fine, don't fall in the trap of doubt, just give it time, one of them will work fine on you. I hope my experience is helpful and encouraging for you guys. Take good care of yourselves. Cheers"

9 / 10
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  • Kt5132
  • June 25, 2017

Paxil (paroxetine) "I started Paxil approx 3 weeks ago and my life started changing for the better about 2 weeks into it. I feel my social anxiety dissolving, I didn't realize how depressed I was, but life is starting to look so much brighter. I suffered with bad pe which made sexual intimacy impossible, and this has pretty much gone away. I am becoming more outgoing and able to express myself to others and working hard to remove everything in my head which caused my anxiety by talking with my spouse and others in my family. I am also becoming much more comfortable in social situations. I sure hope in continues, because I can't imagine going back to my old self. I had bad nausea and was so tired the first week, but so worth it."

10 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • dazzer
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • June 1, 2015

Paxil (paroxetine) "I started taking paroxetine about 5 years ago because I was lasting 2 mins in bed with my gf. I never had that problem before but it was happening all the time. My doctor told me I had anxiety and put me on paroxetine. Since then I have felt great and never looked back. The premature ejaculation went and I felt much better. I had always had negative panicky feelings but just thought it was normal and everyone felt like this but since starting it I have felt great. It can be hard if you just stop the side affects are pretty bad but I am happy to keep on taking it because it works for me... hope this was helpful ;)"

10 / 10
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  • Lemony
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 10, 2020

Paxil (paroxetine) "My doctor prescribed me Paxil as she felt I had anxiety (and that I was depressed as a side effect). For what little anxiety I felt I had, it works great. I flew for the first time and felt no anxiety at all, I was like, “Wow, this is what it feels like to be normal.” However for depression, I still do get sad, although that may just be me (my therapy sessions are rather useless). At first when taking this I was on cloud 9. I was feeling great, and I had no appetite at all so I lost 8 pounds. Once I got used to eating without being hungry, my appetite got back to normal. I also started getting constipated while taking this, so my Dr. prescribed me Miralax. I also have noticed that it seems to have dulled my senses “down there”, it takes longer to have an orgasm which is frustrating. I have heard about how this is a difficult drug to get off of, which I am nervous about. All in all I think it works okay but this is also the first anti-depression medicine I have ever taken."

7 / 10
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Are you taking this medicine?

  • Bbele...
  • November 22, 2015

Paxil (paroxetine) "This medication has worked for me for over five years. I started taking it for anxiety, but it has also helped me with my extreme shyness. It throws a wet blanket over your emotions. It does reduce both the highs and lows and evens out your emotions."

9 / 10
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  • Mr An...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • September 6, 2016

Paxil (paroxetine) "Paxil is going to effect everyone differently. What worked great for me, may be the worst medication you've ever tried. I've been on Paxil for 20 years and for a large majority of those years, Paxil really helped me with my anxiety. I've been back and forth between 15-30mg many times. I never had any major side effects from it (not libido, not weight gain). The thing with Paxil is, there's the potential for what's called "Paxil poop out" (yes, it's real, Google it) where the Paxil stops being effective. I was completely unaware of this so I was totally blindsided with debilitating anxiety and horrible panic attacks out of nowhere one day. I was really bummed because Paxil had done so much good for me. It's a great med when it works."

9 / 10
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  • Annie...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • September 10, 2015

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have been taking Paxil since 2001, when I was in college and age 21. I have always been an anxious person. My anxiety was probably partly biological or genetic and partly learned from my anxious parents. In 2001, my anxiety became very bad. For the first time in my life, I was having panic attacks and became agoraphobic. I was hardly eating. I was also suicidal. A doctor at my college put me on 60 mg of Paxil daily and 1 mg of Ativan three times a day. I also began seeing a psychologist and a psychiatrist. After about half a year, I was able to decrease the Paxil to 50 mg per day and the Ativan to once a day. The combination of Paxil and Ativan saved my life! My anxiety decreased tremendously and I felt so much better!"

10 / 10
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  • Yell
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 3, 2013

Paxil (paroxetine) "I started Paxil 1 week ago and I have only had one little attack. It has given me more energy for work! But I do find myself going home after work and taking a nap! The only bad thing about it so far is I'm clenching my jaw a lot causing my back teeth to hurt and can't really chew that well, may be why I am losing weight also! But it has made my life a lot easier so far! From before I'd have to miss work because of my anxiety!"

8 / 10
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  • Mr Mi...
  • August 11, 2015

Paxil (paroxetine) "I began taking Paxil for my depression and Anxiety. I started at 10 mg. The first night I took it I had horrible dizziness, headache, sickness, and felt weak. The next night I felt fine. Now it is 3 months later and I feel wonderful! No side effects, and I can get through the day without Anxiety being the focal point. I am now up to 30 mg."

10 / 10
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  • Mattyb
  • July 8, 2014

Paxil (paroxetine) "Numbs your emotions. Which is fine if you like your positive emotions numb too. Not a serious solution to mental problems, just a way to cover them up. Dont listen to the doctor who tells you to halve your pill every week, you need to taper your dose by 10% and only drop again after about 6 weeks. Please don't listen to opinions of people who have been on this for only a couple of weeks!"

4 / 10
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  • Bella...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 4, 2016

Paxil (paroxetine) "I went on this medication due to me having severe anxiety and mild OCD to the point where it affected me in almost every aspect, I've only been on it for almost a month and so far the results have been amazing, the only side effect that I've really noticed is the fact that I get sleepy so I take it before bed. Other than that I'm more happy, more calm, my OCD isn't as bad anymore"

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • May 10, 2014

Paxil (paroxetine) "Great medicine. I suffer minor depression and anxiety. Have my whole life. I been taking this almost 2 years. If you want to stop taking this medicine, lean off it really slow. I'm taking 20mg in the morning and at night."

10 / 10
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  • Still...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 2, 2019

Paxil (paroxetine) "I was really hoping that paxil would work for me since it worked for my sister. I have intrusive thoughts and anxiety. This medication ramped my anxiety up bad . Thoughts way worse. I'm stopping after 6 days. I know there are those who say keep with it. I am getting 1 hour of sleep on this drug. I cant stay on it. It's not for me. I realize it may help people, but my comments are for those it didn't work for. You are not alone. I have insomnia, increased anxiety, I am a mess."

4 / 10
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  • Winnie
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • August 26, 2020

"I really want to share my experience because I remember that I used to look for reviews a lot when I first started my journey with antidepressants. First of all, I confess that Paroxetine (Seroxat) was a life saver for me. My first prescribed antidepressant was Sertraline but, unfortunately, it did not work for me, so I did not have much faith in this new pill. After approx. 1 or 2 months on this new medication, I started to feel a lot better!!! It seemed unbelievable but it worked. I used to be very depressed, suicidal, I was constantly on the edge and anxious, I had tremors and frequent hot flashes. I barely wanted to leave the house, my self-esteem was almost inexistent and I could not see a bright future for myself. On this day, I feel a lot better and the symptoms mentioned above are 90% gone. Of course, there are good days and not-so-good days, but it is bearable and I am so thankful. I really hope this medication will help you guys ease the pain, as it did in my case."

9 / 10
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  • anutt...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 12, 2014

Paxil (paroxetine) "I started Paxil after being off antidepressants for a couple of months for bad anxiety and depression. This medication made me feel like a million bucks within the first couple of weeks. I was able to get up on time, didn't feel tired, and was exceedingly happy. Unfortunately, I had to get off of it because it caused bad Restless Leg Syndrome for me."

5 / 10
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  • jrbogey
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • May 22, 2012

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have had anxiety for approximately 30 years and have been on Paxil for about 10. What a difference it has made in my life. I would recommend this medicine to anyone who is suffering from anxiety. I also suffer from panic disorder, and just carrying Xanax with me has helped alleviate my attacks. Only have to take it once in a while now. Also, working out more has really helped with stress, a great preventative, and with a little of the weight gain from Paxil. Take care."

9 / 10
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  • Sarah
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 9, 2022

Paxil (paroxetine) "A couple months ago my anxiety became life consuming. It came on very suddenly. I was having panic attacks, waking up in a panic, couldn't eat, had diarrhea, couldn't sleep, didn't want to travel, didn't want to do anything social, couldn't work, was weepy all the time, and I ended up in the ER twice. I tried lexapro for one day and had a terrible reaction. I started on Paxel 10mg, upped to 15, then 20 and now I'm on 25mg. I've been on it for 10 weeks now. I just want to share that I'm no longer experiencing panic attacks. I don't wake up in a panic, my appetite is back, no more crying, I'm productive, etc. I'm in a MUCH better place now. I'm seeing a therapist and Hydroxyzine is also helping. My paxel side effects were: headaches, sleepiness and crazy dreams. All of those have gone away. I'm not 100% back to myself, but I'm feeling a lot of relief. I'm calm and rational. I'm seeing a big difference. Give it time! Hang in there. Stay up through the struggles."

10 / 10
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  • lizzy...
  • April 21, 2009

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have been on Paxil for 6 weeks now and it just finally kicked in. I suffered with anxiety and extreme panic for 6 years. Now I'm fine. I can't believe it. It's my wonder drug. My life feels normal now. However, I stopped taking it for three days in a row and I felt crazy, so do not cold turkey this drug."

8 / 10
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90 Report
  • Anonymous
  • February 11, 2020

Paxil (paroxetine) "I was very skeptical about taking paxil as I’ve never taken a daily medication before. I started taking it and was on it for 4 days. On the fourth day I work up with this dizzy/ groggy feeling. I didn’t think much of it and then I took my medication for the day. I decided to take a nap due to the dizzy feeling and when I woke up I had the worst suicidal thoughts, my head felt even worse, my eyes couldn’t focus on anything, my pupils were dilated, my body felt extremely limp but I was shaking and I also had cold sweats. I called my doctor and she recommended I go to the hospital. I ended up not going because one of my friends had gone through the same thing and told me to stop taking the medication and just drink some water and eat some food. I felt better for the rest of the day but that night I only got 3 hours of sleep due to nightmares and suicidal thoughts."

3 / 10
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  • Joella
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • July 16, 2021

Paxil (paroxetine) "Paxil was a game changer for me. I had severe anxiety, couldn’t sleep or eat and felt that horrible tightness in my chest all day. Dr prescribed Paxil and within 2 days I started to feel like my old self! I did gain a tad bit of weight but I needed to anyway so that didn’t bother me. Highly recommend!"

10 / 10
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  • Jersey...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • May 5, 2023

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have been taking Paxil for over 20 years for anxiety attacks and depression. I have gone up and down with dosage and have had a year or two periods that I went off the medication. It really has let me live a normal fulfilling life and function successfully in school and career. It is definitely not a cure or wonder drug, but it certainly has helped me tremendously in life."

9 / 10
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  • Pebzz
  • January 20, 2014

Paxil (paroxetine) "My journey started around 17yrs ago when pregnant I suffered an episode and was put in hospital as my son was due, they gave me 150mg straight off of clomipramine, you can imagine how comatosed I was. Over the next few years I had many crashes on this drug, then about 7 years ago a dr prescribed Paxil, best thing could ever have happened, the positives out weigh the negatives with the side effects, I'm on 15mg would love to reduce again one day, but I'm happy to be stable and of sound mind."

9 / 10
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65 Report
  • Brain...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • May 8, 2019

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have been on Paxil 20mg now for over a year and it seriously helped my anxiety during a very difficult period of my life. Now that I want to come off the side effects are awful. I experience brain zaps with the lower dose or when I accidentally miss a dose. Which make me want to just go back to my regular dose because they are so uncomfortable. I am tired no matter how much sleep I get. My sex drive comes and goes, but can go longer amounts of time without even thinking about it. About 5 months ago I was experiencing brain fog where I was forgetting what I was talking about half way through a conversation. All in all, there are pros and cons to the drug. It really does help but there are so many other things to consider. I really want off but I am so afraid to experience any withdrawal symptoms. Good luck to you all!"

3 / 10
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  • bean
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • January 5, 2020

Paxil (paroxetine) "Worst medication i have EVER been on in my entire life. Constantly tired, sleeping 16+ hours a day on short school mornings; cried when I had to work job at night due to exhaustion. Could physically not bring myself out of bed, worsened depressive episodes and dark thoughts. Depression went from a 5 to a 10 within a few weeks. I would genuinely not recommend this medication to anyone suffering from depression or any other ailments for that matter; I wouldn’t risk it even if the doctor was sure it was going to work. You might have a good reaction unlike me, but I would not wish the risk of feeling this way on anyone I know."

1 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

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