Paxil CR and Weight Gain

There are numerous possible side effects with Paxil CR, and weight gain appears to be one of the less common problems. In previous studies, up to 3 percent of people taking Paxil CR for social anxiety disorder reported weight gain, while up to 1 percent of women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) reported weight gain. Weight gain was not reported in people taking Paxil CR for other conditions (such as depression and panic disorder). Talk with your healthcare provider if you do notice weight gain while taking Paxil CR.

Information on Paxil CR

Paxil CR and Weight Gain: An Overview

There are a number of possible side effects with Paxil CR^® (paroxetine controlled release). Weight gain does appear to be one of the less common side effects. This data comes from clinical trials that extensively studied Paxil CR and documented its side effects.

Side Effects and Clinical Trials

Before medicines are approved, they must go through several clinical studies in which thousands of people are given a particular medicine and are then compared to a group of people not given the medicine.

In these studies, side effects are always carefully documented. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine. Side effects are then usually separated into those that occur in more than 1 percent of people (frequent side effects) and those that occur in less than 1 percent of people (rare side effects).

Up to 3 percent of people taking Paxil CR for social anxiety disorder reported weight gain. In studies of Paxil CR for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), up to 1 percent of women reported weight gain. However, weight gain was not reported in studies of Paxil CR for other conditions (such as depression and panic disorder).

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