Paxil Dosage

by on July 31, 2012

Each patient is given a unique Paxil dosage depending on a number of factors that include the medical condition being treated, other medications currently taken and other underlying medical conditions. The treatment duration may also vary depending on the patient’s response to medication.

Below is the usual dose of Paxil (Paroxetine) for specific medical conditions. As with any other medications, do not adjust your dose unless specifically instructed by your healthcare provider.

Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

The recommended starting dosage of Paxil is 20 mg per day taken as a single dose with or without food, usually taken in the morning. Dose may be adjusted with increments of 10 mg per day, up to the maximum daily dose of 50 mg per day. Dose adjustments should be done at intervals of at least one week.

The duration of treatment may vary depending on the severity of condition. In general, acute episodes of major depressive disorder require continuous medication for several months or longer.

Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

The recommended starting dose of Paxil is 20 mg/day and then adjusted until the maximum dose of 60 mg/day. Usually, the effective dose of Paxil for treatment of OCD is 40 mg per day. This medication should be taken once a day with or without food, usually in the morning.

OCD is a chronic condition that may require continuous medication. Treatment duration may continue for 6 months or longer. Daily dose of Paxil should be kept at the lowest effective dose, and patients should be regularly monitored to determine response to treatment.

Treatment of Panic Disorder

The recommended initial dosage of Paxil is 10 mg/day with a target dose of 40 mg/day. It should be taken as a single dose with or without food, usually in the morning. Dose may be increased at least 1 week with increments of 10 mg/day. The recommended maximum dose is 60 mg/day.

Usually, treatment of panic disorder lasts for three months although some patients may require longer treatment duration. Paxil dosage should be kept at the lowest effective dose, and patient should be periodically assessed to monitor response to treatment.

Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

The recommended initial and maintenance dose of Paxil is 20 mg/day. It should be taken as a single dose with or without food, usually in the morning. In case dose needs to be increased, it should be done at least after one week with increments of 10 mg/day.

Since anxiety disorders are chronic conditions, treatments often require longer duration. Usually, treatment may last for 24 weeks or longer depending on the patient’s to response. Nevertheless, patients should be reassessed periodically and dose should be kept at the lowest possible.

Use in Special Population

Use in Pregnant Women

In general, Paxil (Paroxetine) is contraindicated in pregnant women especially during the first three months of pregnancy. Infants born to mothers who have taken this drug during the latter part of the pregnancy should be closely monitored for withdrawal symptoms, and often require longer stay in the hospital, tube feedings, and respiratory support. Healthcare providers should consider the benefits and risks of taking Paxil during pregnancy before making any recommendation. Furthermore, pregnant women should be gradually withdrawn from the drug at least three weeks before expected date of delivery.

Dose for Older Adults or Patients with Severe Liver or Kidney Problems

The recommended starting dose for these patients is 10 mg/day. Dose may be increased but should not exceed 40 mg/day. As much as possible, keep the dose at the lowest effective.