Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor to benefit your condition as much as possible. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Paroxetine may be taken with or without food.

You may have to take paroxetine for a month or longer before you begin to feel better.

If you are taking the oral suspension, shake the bottle well before measuring each dose. Use a small measuring cup or a measuring spoon to measure each dose. The teaspoons and tablespoons that are used for serving and eating food do not measure exact amounts.

Swallow the tablet or extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

Use only the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands may not work the same way.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (capsules):
    • For moderate to severe hot flashes caused by menopause:
      • Adults—7.5 milligrams (mg) once a day, at bedtime.
      • Children—Use is not recommended.
  • For oral dosage form (suspension):
    • For depression:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg (25 mL) per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg (20 mL) per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For generalized anxiety disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg (25 mL) per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg (20 mL) per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For obsessive-compulsive disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mg (30 mL) per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg (20 mL) per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For panic disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 10 milligrams (mg) (5 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mg (30 mL) per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg (20 mL) per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For posttraumatic stress disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg (25 mL) per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg (20 mL) per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For social anxiety disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) (10 milliliters [mL]) once a day, usually taken in the morning.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg (5 mL) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 20 mg (10 mL) per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • For depression:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For generalized anxiety disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 40 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For obsessive-compulsive disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 60 mg per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For panic disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 10 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mg per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For posttraumatic stress disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 50 mg per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For social anxiety disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning.
      • Older adults—At first, 10 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 20 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
    • For depression:
      • Adults—At first, 25 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 62.5 mg per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 12.5 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For panic disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 12.5 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 75 mg per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 12.5 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For premenstrual dysphoric disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 12.5 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 25 mg per day.
      • Older adults and children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For social anxiety disorder:
      • Adults—At first, 12.5 milligrams (mg) once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 37.5 mg per day.
      • Older adults—At first, 12.5 mg once a day, usually taken in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 37.5 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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Portions of this document last updated: June 01, 2024

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