Paroxetine extended-release

FDA label, Apotex Corp, oral, effective 2026-09-16. Full label on DailyMed

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Quoted from the FDA label. Product labels differ by manufacturer and change over time; confirm against the label for the product you are using.

Boxed warning

WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 )]. Paroxetine HCL CR is not approved for use in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4 )]. WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric and young adult patients taking antidepressants.

Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Paroxetine HCL CR is not approved for use in pediatric patients. ( 5.1 , 8.4 )

Dosing in kidney impairment

Dosage Modifications for Elderly Patients, Patients with Severe Renal Impairment and Patients with Severe Hepatic Impairment The recommended initial dose of Paroxetine HCL CR is 12.5 mg per day for elderly patients, patients with severe renal impairment, and patients with severe hepatic impairment. Reduce initial dose and increase up-titration intervals if necessary.

Dosage should not exceed 50 mg per day for MDD or PD and should not exceed 37.5 mg per day for SAD [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.5 , 8.6 )].

Dosing in liver impairment

Renal and/or Hepatic Impairment Increased plasma concentrations of paroxetine occur in patients with renal and hepatic impairment. The initial dosage of Paroxetine HCL CR, should be reduced in patients with severe renal impairment and patients with severe hepatic impairment [see Dosage and Administration and Clinical Pharmacology].

Preparation and administration

Important Administration Instructions Administer Paroxetine HCL CR as a single daily dose in the morning, with or without food. Swallow tablets whole and do not chew or crush.

Drug interactions

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Label text (8 paragraphs)

Drugs Highly Bound to Plasma Protein: Monitor for adverse reactions and reduce dosage of Paroxetine HCL CR or other protein-bound drugs (e.g., warfarin) as warranted. ( 7 ) Drugs Metabolized by CYP2D6: Reduce dosage of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6 as warranted. ( 7 ) Concomitant use with Tamoxifen: Consider use of an alternative antidepressant with little or no CYP2D6 inhibition. ( 5.11 , 7 )

7.1 Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with Paroxetine HCL CR Table 6 includes clinically significant drug interactions with Paroxetine HCL CR. Table 6: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with Paroxetine HCL CR Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Clinical Impact The concomitant use of SSRIs, including Paroxetine HCL CR, and MAOIs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. Intervention Paroxetine HCL CR is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.6 ), Contraindications ( 4 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )].

Examples selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, methylene blue Pimozide and Thioridazine Clinical Impact Paroxetine HCL CR should not be used in patients receiving medications that can prolong QT interval and are metabolized by CYP450 2D6 such as thioridazine or pimozide (see Contraindications and Warnings and Precautions ) Intervention Paroxetine HCL CR is contraindicated in patients taking pimozide or thioridazine [see Contraindications ( 4 )]. Other Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact The concomitant use of serotonergic drugs with Paroxetine HCL CR increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.

Intervention Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome, particularly during treatment initiation and dosage increases. If serotonin syndrome occurs, consider discontinuation of Paroxetine HCL CR and/or concomitant serotonergic drugs [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. Examples Other SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, tryptophan, buspirone, St. John’s Wort Drugs that Interfere with Hemostasis (antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants) Clinical Impact The concurrent use of an antiplatelet agent or anticoagulant with Paroxetine HCL CR may potentiate the risk of bleeding.

Intervention Inform patients of the increased risk of bleeding associated with the concomitant use of Paroxetine HCL CR and antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants. For patients taking warfarin, carefully monitor the international normalized ratio [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )]. Examples aspirin, clopidogrel, heparin, warfarin Drugs Highly Bound to Plasma Protein Clinical Impact Paroxetine HCL CR is highly bound to plasma protein. The concomitant use of Paroxetine HCL CR with another drug that is highly bound to plasma protein may increase free concentrations of Paroxetine HCL CR or other tightly-bound drugs in plasma.

Intervention Monitor for adverse reactions and reduce dosage of Paroxetine HCL CR or other protein-bound drugs as warranted. Examples warfarin Drugs Metabolized by CYP2D6 Clinical Impact Paroxetine HCL CR is a CYP2D6 inhibitor [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. The concomitant use of Paroxetine HCL CR with a CYP2D6 substrate may increase the exposure of the CYP2D6 substrate. Intervention Decrease the dosage of a CYP2D6 substrate if needed with concomitant Paroxetine HCL CR use. Conversely, an increase in dosage of a CYP2D6 substrate may be needed if Paroxetine HCL CR is discontinued.

Examples propafenone, flecainide, atomoxetine, desipramine, dextromethorphan, metoprolol, nebivolol, perphenazine, tolterodine, venlafaxine, risperidone. Tamoxifen Clinical Impact Concomitant use of tamoxifen with Paroxetine HCL CR may lead to reduced plasma concentrations of the active metabolite (endoxifen) and reduced efficacy of tamoxifen Intervention Consider use of an alternative antidepressant little or no CYP2D6 inhibition [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11 )]. Fosamprenavir/Ritonavir Clinical Impact Co-administration of fosamprenavir/ritonavir with paroxetine significantly decreased plasma levels of paroxetine.

Intervention Any dose adjustment should be guided by clinical effect (tolerability and efficacy).

Contraindications

Paroxetine HCL CR is contraindicated in patients: Taking, or within 14 days of stopping, MAOIs (including the MAOIs linezolid and intravenous methylene blue) because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome [See Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ), Drug Interactions (7)]. Paroxetine HCL CR should not be used in patients receiving medications that can prolong QT interval and are also metabolized by CYP450 2D6,such as thioridazine or pimozide [see Drug Interactions (7),Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

With known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioedema, Stevens-Johnson syndrome) to paroxetine or to any of the inactive ingredients in Paroxetine HCL CR [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 , 6.2 )]. Concomitant use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or use within 14 days of discontinuing a MAOIs. ( 4 , 5.2 , 7 ) Concomitant use of pimozide or thioridazine. ( 4 , 5.3 , 7 ) Known hypersensitivity to paroxetine or to any of the inactive ingredients in Paroxetine HCL CR. ( 4 )

Safety data

Reported adverse events (FAERS)

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Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System via openFDA

Liver injury (LiverTox)

LiverTox has no chapter for paroxetine extended-release. Check the label's hepatic warnings.

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 1-866-961-2388 or visiting online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-researchprograms/ pregnancy registry/antidepressants/.

Risk Summary Based on data from published observational studies, exposure to SSRIs, particularly in the month before delivery, has been associated with a less than 2-fold increase in the risk of postpartum hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) and Clinical Considerations]. Paroxetine HCL CR is associated with a less than 2-fold increase in cardiovascular malformations when administered to a pregnant woman during the first trimester.

While individual epidemiological studies on the association between paroxetine use and cardiovascular malformations have reported inconsistent findings, some meta-analyses of epidemiological studies have identified an increased risk of cardiovascular malformations (see Data). There are risks of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) (see Data) and/or poor neonatal adaptation with exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including Paroxetine HCL CR, during pregnancy. There also are risks associated with untreated depression in pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations).

For women who intend to become pregnant or who are in their first trimester of pregnancy, paroxetine should be initiated only after consideration of the other available treatment options. No evidence of treatment related malformations was observed in animal reproduction studies, when paroxetine was administered during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 50 mg/kg/day in rats and 6 mg/kg/day in rabbits. These doses are approximately 6 (rat) and less than 2 (rabbit) times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD -75 mg) on an mg/m 2 basis.

When paroxetine was administered to female rats during the last trimester of gestation and continued through lactation, there was an increase in the number of pup deaths during the first four days of lactation. This effect occurred at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day which is less than the MRHD on an mg/m 2 basis (see Data). The estimated background risks of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations are unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the US general population, the estimated…

For breastfeeding, also see LactMed (National Library of Medicine), which summarizes milk levels and infant effects.

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