Depression
Medications
Related eMedTV
Health Channels

Paroxetine Dosing

In general, the recommended starting dose of paroxetine is 20 mg daily. Elderly people and those with kidney or liver problems may be started on a lower dose of the medication. Paroxetine dosing for people with panic disorder usually starts at 10 mg daily. The maximum paroxetine dosage is usually 50 mg or 60 mg, depending on the condition being treated.

 

Paroxetine Dosing: An Introduction

The dose of paroxetine hydrochloride (Paxil®) your healthcare provider prescribes will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • The medical condition for which you are being treated
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be taking.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your paroxetine dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Paroxetine Dosing Recommendations

In general, the recommended starting paroxetine dose is paroxetine 20 mg once daily (usually in the morning). However, the starting dose for treating panic disorder and for elderly people or people with liver or kidney problems is lower: paroxetine 10 mg once daily. Your healthcare provider may choose to increase the paroxetine dosage if symptoms continue, or decrease the dose if side effects occur.
 
The maximum paroxetine dose is 50 mg (for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder) or 60 mg (for social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder).
 

General Paroxetine Dosage Information

Some considerations for people taking paroxetine include the following:
 
 
  • It usually takes several weeks (perhaps even more than a month) before feeling the beneficial effects of paroxetine. Try not to be discouraged if paroxetine does not work right away for you.
     
  • Do not crush or chew paroxetine tablets. You should swallow paroxetine tablets whole.
     
  • Shake paroxetine suspension (liquid) thoroughly before each dose.
     
  • If paroxetine makes you drowsy, try taking your dose before bedtime. If paroxetine causes insomnia for you, try taking it in the morning. Most people take paroxetine in the morning.
     
  • You can take paroxetine with or without food. If paroxetine bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
     
  • Take your dose of paroxetine at the same time each day. This will help to maintain an even level of the drug in your blood.
     
  • Abruptly stopping medications like paroxetine can result in withdrawal symptoms (see Paroxetine Withdrawal for more information).
     
  • For paroxetine to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Paroxetine will not work if you take it differently than how your healthcare provider prescribed it.
     
  • If you are unsure about anything related to paroxetine or your paroxetine dosage, please talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Do not stop taking paroxetine without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
     
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;