A serious concern among users of Paxil who wish to discontinue use of the drug is Paxil withdrawal. Although Paxil is not addictive in the traditional sense -- users do not crave Paxil after discontinuing taking the drug -- it has frightening withdrawal symptoms for some who stop taking the drug. Symptoms of Paxil withdrawal are a feeling of electric shocks (paraesthesia), flu-like symptoms including gastrointestinal upset, dizziness, insomnia, depersonalization, and auditory hallucinations. The World Health Organization warns that Paxil has the most severe withdrawal effects of any antidepressant drug currently on the market.

Although anecdotal evidence suggests that only about ten percent of Paxil users will suffer from "severe Paxil withdrawal," the majority of Paxil users will experience some withdrawal effects when they cease to take the drug, with the most likely symptoms being flu-like in nature. The cause of severe withdrawal is currently unknown, and so may affect anyone wishes to stop taking Paxil.

If you wish to stop taking Paxil, you will need to consult with your doctor and reduce your dosage gradually over a period of weeks to avoid experiencing withdrawal symptoms. As withdrawal symptoms can be serious and can last from anywhere in between a month to about half a year, it is important to stop taking Paxil the correct way under supervision from your doctor. Withdrawal symptoms may occur even if dosage is being stepped down and you are being taken off of the drug gradually.

Severe Paxil withdrawal symptoms vary greatly in severity. Sufferers of Paxil withdrawal report nausea, insomnia, hypersensitivity to light and smells, and greatly decreased appetite. For some, these are the only symptoms they experience. Others aren't so lucky. Some experience the feeling of electrical shocks running through their bodies, profuse sweating, dizziness and an unsteady gait, and blurred vision. Other sufferers may have a more severe withdrawal reaction, with a feeling of not being connected to reality (depersonalization), having problems articulating speech or focusing/concentrating, having vivid and realistic dreams or nightmares, having extreme mood swings and irritability, insomnia, suicidal thoughts, and panic attacks.

If you are experiencing severe withdrawal from Paxil, consider bringing a lawsuit against Paxil. There is evidence suggesting that GlaxoSmithKline suppressed internal studies concerning Paxil's withdrawal symptoms, as well as evidence suggesting that Paxil has known about the withdrawal symptoms of Paxil since before the drug received FDA approval, and as such it should be relatively easy to reach a settlement. Contact a lawyer, preferably one specializing in this field, for more information.

Although Paxil causes severe withdrawal reactions in some people, others stop taking the drug with only flu-like symptoms. If you wish to stop taking Paxil, it is important to consult with your doctor to begin the process of coming off of Paxil.