What to expect when your Paxil is increased from 20mg to 40mg?

In this blog post, we are going to talk about the possible effects of paxil when your dose is increased from 20mg to 40mg. Paxil is an antidepressant which is used to treat a wide variety of mental health conditions. 

It is prescribed in various doses and this blog will cover the possible outcomes when your dose is escalated by your healthcare provider. 

What to expect when your Paxil is increased from 20mg to 40mg?

When your Paxil dose is increased from 20 mg to 40 mg, you can expect a better therapeutic outcome. The higher dose aims to target your depression more effectively. Doctors do not increase the dose if your current dose provides sufficient therapeutic response. 

In usual practice, the treatment with paxil is started from the lowest effective dose. This is because it is impossible for the healthcare providers to determine how a newly diagnosed person will respond to the antidepressants. 

Lower doses are easy to manage, especially in case of an allergic reaction, the symptoms associated with it are much less intense as compared to the symptoms of an allergic reaction on a higher dose. Such patients also recover earlier from unusual effects. 

Better therapeutic response is not the only thing that comes with a high dose. You can also experience side effects more pronounced than your previous dose. We all know, no medicine is pure from side effects. 

As now your dose has been increased, you might find an increase in your side effects as well. Antidepressants take time to settle in your body. Give it a few weeks and let your body adjust to the new increased dose. After a few weeks, your symptoms will begin to subside. 

The most common side effect experienced on dose escalation is mood instability. You may feel good one day but extremely depressed the next. It’s just your body trying to adapt to the higher dose. 

What is the clinical significance of Paxil? 

Paxil is used for the treatment of following mental health conditions:

Depression 

Paxil is used in the treatment of mild to major depression disorder (MDD). It is a state of mind which is concerned with disturbing thoughts, especially about one’s self. 

It is associated with symptoms like hopelessness, tearfulness and emptiness. Depression is caused by the deficiency of excitatory neurotransmitters. 

Paxil increases the amount of active serotonin to help relieve the symptoms of depression. Serotonin is an excitatory neurotransmitter responsible for modulating mood, cognition, reward, learning, memory, and various other psychological processes. 

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) 

Paxil is also used to treat generalised anxiety disorder. As the name implies, this mental health condition is associated with general worry or anxiety about pretty much everything without having any logical reason. 

People suffering from GAD worry about small matters related to family, friends, relationships, study, work, health, wealth etc. 

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

Paxil is used to treat symptoms of OCD. It is a condition characterised by troublesome thoughts that won’t go away, no matter what you do, and a weird urge to do things over and over again. 

Panic attacks 

Overtime, paxil has proven to be a suitable treatment option for treating panic attacks. They are sudden, uncontrollable attacks of fear and worry. A patient might unwillingly exaggerate a certain condition and gets frightened, often to the point where he gets attacked by seizures. 

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) 

Paxil is also used to treat social anxiety disorder. It is a condition in which the patient fears facing crowds or social gatherings, and doesn’t really know how to react among people. 

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Paxil can also be used to treat the symptoms associated with PTSD. It is concerned with extreme psychological symptoms that develop after a disturbing incident, such as death of a loved one or a horrific accident.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) 

Paxil is also used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder, including symptoms like mood swings, irritability, bloating, and breast tenderness.

What are the recommended doses of Paxil? 

Paxil is recommended in the following doses:

Depression

For adults: The treatment is usually started from 20 mg/day, taken usually at morning or whatever time is suggested by your healthcare provider. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 50 mg/day. 

For elderly people: The treatment usually starts from 10 mg/day. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 40 mg/day. 

For children: Dose is suggested by the doctor according to the condition and body weight.

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) 

For adults: The treatment is usually started from 20 mg/day, taken usually at morning or whatever time is suggested by your healthcare provider. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 50 mg/day. 

For elderly people: The treatment usually starts from 10 mg/day. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 40 mg/day. 

For children: Dose is suggested by the doctor according to the condition and body weight.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) 

For adults: The treatment is usually started from 20 mg/day, taken usually at morning or whatever time is suggested by your healthcare provider. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 60 mg/day. 

For elderly people: The treatment usually starts from 10 mg/day. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 40 mg/day. 

For children: Dose is suggested by the doctor according to the condition and body weight.

Panic attacks 

For adults: The treatment is usually started from 10 mg/day, taken usually at morning or whatever time is suggested by your healthcare provider. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 60 mg/day. 

For elderly people: The treatment usually starts from 10 mg/day. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 40 mg/day. 

For children: Dose is suggested by the doctor according to the condition and body weight.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) 

For adults: The treatment is usually maintained at 20 mg/day, taken usually at morning or whatever time is suggested by your healthcare provider. 

For elderly people: The treatment usually starts from 10 mg/day. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 20 mg/day. 

For children: Dose is suggested by the doctor according to the condition and body weight.

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 

For adults: The treatment is usually started from 20 mg/day, taken usually at morning or whatever time is suggested by your healthcare provider. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 50 mg/day. 

For elderly people: The treatment usually starts from 10 mg/day. However, the dose can be adjusted by the healthcare provider if needed and should not exceed 40 mg/day. 

For children: Dose is suggested by the doctor according to the condition and body weight.

Note: The above mentioned doses are for Paxil tablets. Other formulations may contain different drug uniformity. You should always ask your healthcare provider before using any antidepressant. The dose must be determined by your doctor. 

In order to achieve the maximum therapeutic response from a drug, it is extremely important to use it right. Make sure paxil is the right choice of antidepressant for you. Stick to your doctor’s recommended dose. Do not take more or less than that. 

Ask your doctor before taking paxil if you’re pregnant, trying to conceive or if you’re a breastfeeding mother. This drug can pass into the breastmilk, which is why it is important to ensure its safety in a breastfed baby. 

If you fail to understand how to use the drug properly or have any other question, ask your doctor or pharmacist. In case of overdose, immediately reach out to the hospital. Make sure you properly guide them about how much drug you have taken and when. 

Conclusion 

In this blog, we discussed what one should expect when the doctor increases the paxil dose from 20 mg to 40 mg. In usual practice, higher dose is preferred to achieve better therapeutic response. It is a good option for people who tolerate paxil well but their dose is too low.

When the dose is increased, side effects can get a bit pronounced too, but they remain till your body adjusts to the new increased dose. After that, you begin to settle down on your new dose and hopefully start achieving better outcomes. 

Make sure you only increase your dose if your doctor suggests you. It is not your job to do that on your own. Ensure the proper use and stick to your doctor’s recommendations. Adopt a healthy lifestyle and surely everything will go just fine. 

FAQs: increasing paxil from 20mg to 40mg

Is 40 mg of Paxil a lot? 

40 mg of paxil is considered a high dose and it is not recommended to exceed this dose, especially in elderly people. Adults, however, can take up to 50 mg, but only when they suffer from a severe mental health condition that can be treated by high doses of Paxil. Make sure you don’t increase your dose without your doctor’s approval. 

What are the side effects of Paxil 40 mg?

The common side effects of paxil include:

• Weakness
• Dizziness or lightheadedness 
• Inability to concentrate 
• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea 
• Flatulence 
• Drowsiness 
• Forgetfulness 
• Constipation 
• Abdominal pain
• Acid reflux or heartburn 
• Loss of appetite 
• Loss or gain of weight 
• Changes in taste and smell
• Xerostomia or dry mouth 
• Sweating 
• Muscle or joint pain
• Loss of libido in both male and females. Males may suffer from inability to release, while females may suffer from inability to have a climactic experience. 

Can I take 40mg of Paxil?

You can take 40 mg of Paxil only if it is prescribed by your mental healthcare professional. It is not recommended to increase your dose without your doctor’s approval. 

What is paroxetine 40 mg used for?

40 mg paroxetine can be used for the treatment of following mental health conditions:

• Depression 
• Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) 
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) 
• Social anxiety disorder (SAD) 
• Panic attacks 
• Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) 

How long does an increase in Paxil take to work?

An increased paxil dose may start to show its effects within a week or two. However, when you start taking paxil, this antidepressant can take up to 4-6 weeks to kick in. 

Is it better to take Paxil at night or in the morning?

The time at which you take your paxil depends on the kind of side effects you experience. If it causes loss of appetite, nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, and fatigue, it is recommended to take your paxil at night. However, if it causes insomnia, loss of libido, and urinary problems then you should take your paxil in the morning. 

References 

• R H Foster et al. CNS Drugs. (1997) – Paroxetine : a review of its pharmacology and therapeutic potential in the management of panic disorder https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23338224/
• Paroxetine oral route https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/paroxetine-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20067632 
• Paroxetine Hcl – Uses, Side Effects, and More https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6969-9095/paroxetine-oral/paroxetine-oral/details