paroxetine, low dose

General

Genetic Implications: Genetic Implications

Pronunciation:
par-ox-e-teen


Trade Name(s)

  • Brisdelle

Ther. Class.

antidepressants

Pharm. Class.

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Indications

Moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) associated with menopause.

Action

Inhibits neuronal reuptake of serotonin in the CNS, thus potentiating the activity of serotonin; has little effect on norepinephrine or dopamine.

Therapeutic Effect(s):

Decreased symptoms of VSM.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Completely absorbed following oral administration.

Distribution: Widely distributed throughout body fluids and tissues, including the CNS; cross the placenta and enter breast milk.

Protein Binding: 95%.

Metabolism and Excretion: Highly metabolized by the liver (partly by P450 2D6 enzyme system); Genetic implication the CYP2D6 enzyme system exhibits genetic polymorphism; ~7% of population may be poor metabolizers (PMs) and may have significantly ↑ paroxetine concentrations and an ↑ risk of adverse effects. 2% excreted unchanged in urine.

Half-life: 21 hr.

TIME/ACTION PROFILE (improvement in VMS)

ROUTEONSETPEAKDURATION
POwithin 4 wkunknownunknown

Contraindication/Precautions

Contraindicated in:

  • Hypersensitivity;
  • Concurrent MAO inhibitor, linezolid, methylene blue, thioridazine, or pimozide therapy;
  • OB:  Use during the first trimester may be associated with an ↑ risk of cardiac malformations–consider fetal risk/maternal benefit; use during third trimester may result in neonatal serotonin syndrome requiring prolonged hospitalization, respiratory and nutritional support; avoid use during pregnancy.

Use Cautiously in:

  • Risk of suicide (may ↑ risk of suicide attempt/ideation especially during early treatment or dose adjustment);
  • History of seizures;
  • History of bipolar disorder;
  • Lactation: Safety not established; discontinue drug or bottle feed;
  • Pedi:  May ↑ risk of suicide attempt/ideation especially during early treatment or dose adjustment; may be greater in children and adolescents (safety in children/adolescents not established);
  • Geri:  Severe renal hepatic impairment; geriatric or debilitated patients (daily dose should not exceed 40 mg); history of mania/risk of suicide.

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

EENT: angle closure glaucoma

GI: nausea, vomiting

F and E: hyponatremia (associated with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion

Hemat: bleeding

MS: bone fractures

Neuro: akisthesia, NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME, SEIZURES, suicidal ideation, fatigue, headache

Misc: SEROTONIN SYNDROME

* CAPITALS indicate life-threatening.
Underline indicate most frequent.

Interactions

Drug-Drug

  • Serious, potentially fatal reactions (hyperthermia, rigidity, myoclonus, autonomic instability, with fluctuating vital signs and extreme agitation, which may proceed to delirium and coma) may occur with concurrent  MAO inhibitor  therapy (including  linezolid  and  methylene blue. MAO inhibitors should be stopped at least 14 days prior to paroxetine therapy. Paroxetine should be stopped at least 14 days prior to MAO inhibitor therapy.

  • May ↓ metabolism and ↑ effects of certain  drugs that are metabolized by the liver, including other  antidepressants,  phenothiazines,  class IC   antiarrhythmics,  risperidone,  atomoxetine,  theophylline,  procyclidine, and  quinidine. Concurrent use should be undertaken with caution.
  • Concurrent use with  pimozide  or  thioridazine  may ↑ risk of QT interval prolongation and torsades de pointes; concurrent use contraindicated.
  •  Cimetidine  ↑ blood levels.
  •  Phenobarbital  and  phenytoin  may ↓ effectiveness.
  • Concurrent use with  alcohol  is not recommended.
  • May ↓ the effectiveness of  digoxin  and  tamoxifen.
  • May ↑ risk of bleeding with  warfarin,  aspirin, or  NSAIDS.
  • Concurrent use with  5-HT1  agonists  (frovatriptan,  naratriptan,  rizatriptan,  sumatriptan,  zolmitriptan ),  fentanyl,  lithium, or  tramadol  may result in ↑ serotonin levels and lead to serotonin syndrome.

Drug-Natural Products:

↑ risk of serotonergic side effects including serotonin syndrome with  St. John's wort,  SAMe, and  tryptophan .

Route/Dosage

PO (Adults): 7.5 mg once daily.

Availability

Capsules: 7.5 mg

Assessment

  • Used only for vasomotor symptoms, not depression or bipolar disorder. Assess patient for signs and symptom of bipolar disorder with detailed psychiatric history, including a family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, and depression prior to starting therapy.
  • Assess for suicidal tendencies, especially during early therapy. Restrict amount of drug available to patient. Risk may be increased in children, adolescents, and adults ≤24 yr.

  • Assess for serotonin syndrome (mental changes [agitation, hallucinations, coma], autonomic instability [tachycardia, labile BP, hyperthermia], neuromuscular aberations [hyper reflexia, incoordination], and/or GI symptoms [nausea, vomiting, diarrhea]), especially in patients taking other serotonergic drugs (SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, St. John's Wort, librium).

Lab Test Considerations:

May cause hyponatremia. Monitor serum sodium levels if signs and symptoms occur.

Potential Diagnoses

Implementation

  • PO Administer at bedtime with or without food.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Instruct patient to take paroxetine as directed. Take missed doses as soon as possible, unless almost time for next dose; do not double doses. Advise patient to read  Medication Guide  before starting and with each Rx refill in case of changes.
  • May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Caution patient to avoid driving and other activities requiring alertness until response to the drug is known.
  • Inform patient of risk of increased fractures with paroxetine.
  • Advise patient, family and caregivers to look for suicidality, especially during early therapy or dose changes. Notify health care professional immediately if thoughts about suicide or dying, attempts to commit suicide, new or worse depression or anxiety, agitation or restlessness, panic attacks, insomnia, new or worse irritability, aggressiveness, acting on dangerous impulses, mania, or other changes in mood or behavior or if symptoms of serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome occur.

  • Instruct patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and consult health care professional before taking any new medications and to avoid alcohol or other CNS-depressant drugs during therapy.
  • Advise patient to notify health care professional if signs and symptoms of hyponatremia (difficulty concentrating, memory impairment, confusion, weakness, and unsteadiness) or restlessness (inner restlessness, agitation, nervousness, or inability to sit still or stand still, especially at beginning of therapy) occur or if headache, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting persists.
  • Instruct female patient to inform health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

Reduction of moderate to severe hot flashes associated with menopause.