AboutNigel Simmons Expertise I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised.
Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner.
I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question.
Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?
Experience Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
Past/Present clients Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.
Question I am a 21 year old male. I was prescribed by my family physician Paxil (generic) 20 mg to help me deal with my severe general anxiety/stress and depression. It has been a little over 2 months since I began taking the medication, and I have not felt any major differences or change. I am thinking about going back and talking to my doctor about maybe increasing my dosage, because we never really talked about how severe my condition was before he prescribed me the 20 mg. But what I was wondering before I go and talk to him, is what is the absolute maximum dosage available for someone my age? I know that the dosage should be increased/increased increased/decreased in short incriments like 10 mg at a time every 1-2 weeks. But what is the absolute max dosage you would recommend for someone of my age to try, before trying a different medication. I was reading that people should take no more than 60 mg of Paxil... Is this true? And what are some side effects or changes that may occour if that much is taken or exceeded.?
Answer Dean
You are correct that 60mg is the normal upper limit of doses for Paxil, and that doses should be adjusted slowly to allow the effects to develop. It is impossible to predict an individual dosage, but your doctor should be making assessments of your anxiety and response to medication, to allow him to determine whether an increased dose is appropriate.
As with all drugs, the likelihood of side effects increases with dosage, so it is always advisible to use the lowest effective dose. Drugs like Paxil are also associated with sometimes significant withdrawal symptoms, so a lower dose will make this easier.
You can find all the clinical information about the product at:
