Paxil (Paroxetine) for Alzheimer's

Overview
Paxil is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat depression, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Paxil is also known by its drug name, Paroxetine. Paxil is sometimes prescribed to treat low mood and irritability in people with Alzheimer’s disease when non-drug approaches have failed to address these symptoms. Since the FDA has not approved Prozac specifically for this usage, it is considered “off-label.”

Paxil is an antidepressant of the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. Paxil is believed to work by changing the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain.

How do I take it?
Paxil is taken once daily, usually in the morning.

Paxil comes in tablet and oral suspension forms.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Paxil lists common side effects including nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, anxiety, loss of appetite, blurred vision, and sweating.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Paxil can include serotonin syndrome, which may be life-threatening.