Seroxat

What is it?

An antidepressant available as film-coated, oval, scored tablets in 2 strengths; white, containing 20mg and blue, containing 30mg of paroxetine (as hydrochloride). Marked with strength and tablet name.

Medical Uses

Depression and depressive illness with anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social phobia, generalised anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder.

Dosage

Adults, depression, social phobia, 20mg once each day at first, taken with breakfast. Then increasing gradually, if necessary, every 2 or 3 weeks by 10mg to a maximum daily dose of 50mg. Obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, same starting dose then increase by 10mg once each week to 40mg each day. Maximum is 50mg each day. Generalised anxiety, 20mg each day. Elderly persons start with dose of 20mg once each day increasing gradually by weekly increments of 10mg to maximum of 40mg daily, if needed.

Special Care

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, glaucoma, serious liver or kidney disorders, diabetes, bleeding disorders, electroconvulsive treatment, heart disease or disease of arteries of heart, epilepsy (if symptoms worsen, stop treatment), history of mania/hypomania. Drug should be gradually stopped.

Avoid Use

Children.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Sumatriptan, enzyme inhibitors and inducers, anticonvulsants, warfarin, tramadol, procyclidine, tryptophan, other neuroleptics, drugs that increase bleeding, drugs affecting liver enzymes, phenytoin, MAOIs, lithium, St John's Wort.

Known Side Effects

Dry mouth, sweating, sleepiness, insomnia, tremor, nausea, weakness, effects on sexual habits, impairment of muscle tone, effects/ symptoms arising after drug is withdrawn.

Manufacturer

Glaxosmithkline.