does paroxetine work for people under 18 years old?

Young people are at special risk with antidepressants, and accordingly, paroxetine is not approved for their use. ~~~ What side effects may occur?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine whether it is safe for you to continue taking Paroxetine hydrochloride.

During the first 4 to 6 weeks, you may find some side effects less troublesome (nausea and dizziness, for example) than others (dry mouth, drowsiness, and weakness).

More common side effects may include:

Abnormal ejaculation, abnormal orgasm, constipation, decreased appetite, decreased sex drive, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, gas, impotence, male and female genital disorders, nausea, nervousness, sleeplessness, sweating, tremor, weakness, vertigo

Why should Paroxetine hydrochloride not be prescribed?

Dangerous and even fatal reactions are possible when Paxil is combined with thioridazine (Mellaril) or drugs classified as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, such as the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate. Never take Paxil with any of these medications, or within 2 weeks of starting or stopping use of an MAO inhibitor. You'll also need to avoid Paxil if it gives you an allergic reaction.

Special warnings about Paroxetine hydrochloride

In clinical studies,**** antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children and adolescents with depression and other psychiatric disorders****. Anyone considering the use of Paxil or any other antidepressant in a child or adolescent must balance this risk with the clinical need. Paxil has not been studied in children or adolescents and ****is not approved for treating anyone less than 18 years old****.

Additionally, the progression of major depression is associated with a worsening of symptoms and/or the emergence of suicidal thinking or behavior in both adults and children, whether or not they are taking antidepressants. Individuals being treated with Paxil and their caregivers should watch for any change in symptoms or any new symptoms that appear suddenly--especially agitation, anxiety, hostility, panic, restlessness, extreme hyperactivity, and suicidal thinking or behavior--and report them to the doctor immediately. Be especially observant at the beginning of treatment or whenever there is a change in dose.

Paxil should be used cautiously by people with a history of manic disorders and those with high pressure in the eyes (glaucoma).

If you have a history of seizures, make sure your doctor knows about it. Paxil should be used with caution in this situation. If you develop seizures once therapy has begun, the drug should be discontinued.

If you have a disease or condition that affects your metabolism or blood circulation, make sure your doctor is aware of it. Paxil should be used cautiously in this situation.

Paxil may impair your judgment, thinking, or motor skills. Do not drive, operate dangerous machinery, or participate in any hazardous activity that requires full mental alertness until you are sure the medication is not affecting you in this way.

Antidepressants such as Paxil could potentially cause stomach bleeding, especially when combined with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and ketoprofen (Orudis KT). Consult your doctor before combining Paxil with NSAIDs or blood-thinning drugs.

It's best to avoid an abrupt discontinuation of Paxil therapy. It can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, abnormal dreams, and tingling sensations. To prevent such problems, your doctor will reduce your dose gradually.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Paroxetine hydrochloride

Remember that Paxil must never be combined with Mellaril or MAO inhibitors such as Nardil and Parnate, or taken within 2 weeks of starting or stopping an MAO inhibitor.

If Paxil is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Paxil with any of the following:

Alcohol

Antidepressants such as Elavil, Tofranil, Norpramin, Pamelor, Prozac

Aspirin

Cimetidine (Tagamet)

Diazepam (Valium)

Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Flecainide (Tambocor)

Lithium (Eskalith)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and ketoprofen (Orudis KT)

Phenobarbital

Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Procyclidine (Kemadrin)

Propafenone (Rythmol)

Propranolol (Inderal, Inderide)

Quinidine (Quinaglute)

Sumatriptan (Imitrex)

Theophylline (Theo-24, Uniphyl)

Tryptophan

Warfarin (Coumadin)

It not approved for anyone under 18.

I would not personally let anyone under 18 take any SSRI (paxil, prozac, zoloft, etc.) unless he/she was being seen by a psychiatrist. My family doc prescribed zoloft for my son when he was 13. It caused him to hallucinate and he ended up in the psych. ward at the hospital.

Absolutely...Paroxetine is the generic Paxil...so you need to be careful with it. It can work wonders, but is VERY hard to get off of and in some teens, it has lead to suicide...

My daughter was put on Paxil as a child because of depression and it helped her immensly until adolescence, when she needed to change to something else...ALWAYS be sure to have regular visits with a psychiatrist when on these meds...

I don't think it's approved for young people.