Paxil CR Uses

PMDD is more than just "PMS." Women with PMDD have severe symptoms for a week or two before their periods each month. These PMDD symptoms can interfere with school, work, and relationships. These symptoms can include:

 

Although the causes of PMDD are not fully understood, it is thought that serotonin may play an important role in PMDD. Studies have shown that Paxil CR is effective for the treatment of PMDD, whether it is taken every day during a woman's menstrual cycle or only during the last two weeks before her period.

 

How Paxil CR Works

Paxil CR is part of a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs for short. SSRIs, such as Paxil CR, act on a specific chemical within the brain known as serotonin. Serotonin is one of several chemicals used to send messages from one nerve cell to another.

 

As a message travels down a nerve, it causes the end of the cell to release serotonin. The serotonin enters the gap between the first nerve cell and the one next to it. When enough serotonin reaches the second nerve cell, it activates receptors on the cell and the message continues on its way. The first cell then quickly absorbs any serotonin that remains in the gap between cells. This is called "reuptake."

 

Normally, this process works without any problems. When the levels of serotonin become unbalanced, however, it can cause a variety of conditions, including depression. Paxil CR helps to block the reuptake of serotonin so that more serotonin remains in the space between the brain's nerve cells. This gives the serotonin a better chance of activating the receptors on the next nerve cell.

 

Paxil CR tablets are specially designed to slowly and evenly release the medication. It is thought that this might provide more consistent effects throughout the day or may cause fewer side effects. However, Paxil CR has not been directly compared to the regular version, Paxil^® (paroxetine hydrochloride), in clinical studies.