The drug Paxil was approved by the FDA in 1993. Since then it has become one of the most widely prescribed and heralded anti-depressants on the market. Paxil is in the family of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Paxil is approved to treat depression, social anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, general anxiety disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. It has largely been successful, but as time has worn on it has turned out that almost 20% of all patients have discontinued their use of Paxil because of significant side effects.
There have been a large number of different Paxil side effects. Both physical and psychological problems have developed from continued use. Since a lot more is known about Paxil now, it is recommended that patients discuss all of their medical history with their doctor before they begin taking this medication. Some people have unusual side effects related to aspects of their health that neither they nor their physician anticipated. Histories of kidney problems, seizures, or glaucoma are widely considered important as they can be triggered by Paxil side effects.
There are other issues related to combining Paxil with other medication. Serious side effects have been caused when the drug is mixed with MAO inhibitors. Pregnant women are also encouraged not to use Paxil. The side effects for pregnant women are severe and include numerous extremely risky birth defects; some of which are six to eight times more common in women that used Paxil during pregnancy and those that didn’t. Of all the SSRIs that patients are regularly put on, Paxil has proven to be the most addictive and cause serious withdrawal side effects. In some cases these side effects have last between one to three months and have led patients to become fidgety, depressed, irritable, aggressive, and suffer other physical side effects. Since the drug is habit forming, those side effects are very important for the general public to be made aware of. Other physical side effects that have manifested themselves in some patients includes allergic reactions, irregular heart beats, abnormal blood pressure, fever, chills, or gastrointestinal problems. There are also occasional overdoses of Paxil.
These side effects usually lead to dizziness, drowsiness, facial flush, nausea, sweating, tremors, vomiting, seizures, and coma. A truly large overdose of Paxil could cause kidney failure and death. All told, obviously there are many serious side effects from Paxil that individual need to watch out for. So far, I’ve mostly talked about the physical side effects of Paxil. Psychologically, the drug can be harmful as well. Unfortunately, it has been proven that Paxil can actually worsen the symptoms it was designed to treat. Mania, delusions, hallucinations, depression, anxiety, agitation, obsession, suicidal thoughts have all occurred because of Paxil. Akathisia is one of the most severe Paxil side effects; it is characterized by extreme motor restlessness and agitation. It has been so severe that it has led Paxil patients to become aggressive or suicidal.
Other Common Names:Valerian root, garden valerian, tobacco root, garden heliotrope, all-heal, phu (Galen), great wild valerian, amantilla, setwall, setewale capon's tail
Habitat: Valerian root is native to Europe, South Africa and parts of Asia. It has been naturalized to North America. It prefers rich, heavy loam with adequate moisture. Most of the valerian used in medicine is grown on farms and cultivated for this purpose.
Description:The valerian plant is a perennial that can reach a height of 4 feet. The stems of the plant are erect and hollow with white or reddish flowers that bloom each summer. The leaves are dark green and paired at their base. The flowers have a peculiar, though not completely unpleasing, scent. Some describe the scent as similar to well-aged cheese or milk. Plant Parts Used: The root and rhizome of this plant are used for medicinal purposes.
Therapeutic Uses, Benefits and Claims of The Valerian Root
* Valerian is a strong sedative that is used commonly to treat insomnia, anxiety and nervousness. * It is also used to treat many stress symptoms; including irritability, depression, exhaustion, delusions, hysteria and nervous tension. * Valerian root has also been shown to relieve pain. This, combined with the sedative effect, makes it effective in relieving headaches (especially stress headaches,) migraines, arthritis and muscle pain. * This herb has also shown promise in treating several nerve disorders. Shingles, sciatica, neuralgia, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and peripheral neuropathy are all conditions that respond to valerian use. * Valerian has also been shown to help attention deficit disorder in adults and children, along with other childhood nervous disorders. * This plant has a positive effect on heart health. It helps to slow the heart in tachycardia, helps regulate arrhythmias, and stabilize blood pressure. Its anti-thrombotic effect helps to prevent blood clots as well.
Potential Side Effects of The Valerian Root
Valerian has been given a class 1 safety rating by the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA.)
Some people do have adverse effects from the use of this herb, experiencing nervousness, anxiety and tension instead of relaxation and sedation. There is evidence that long term use may lead to withdrawal symptoms upon cessation.
This herb should not be used while driving, operating heavy machinery or during other activities that require alertness and mental acuity, due to its tranquilizing effect. People with liver disease should not use this herb. Pregnant or breast-feeding women should not use this supplement either.
Valerian should not be taken with medications for anti-anxiety, anesthesia or sedatives without consulting a physician. Valerian should not be mixed with alcohol or recreational drugs that cause sedation.
Therapeutic Dosages
The common dosage for valerian for insomnia relief is 300 to 600 mg of the extract. This is equal to about 2 to 3 grams of the dried root infused in a tea. It is recommended that the herb be taken 30 minutes to two hours before bedtime. For other uses the herb may be taken in divided doses throughout the day or in a single dose in the evening.
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