About Layla Yeganeh Expertise I have researched and studied medicine, pharmacy, psychology and biology in college, through medical journals and research studies, I also have personal knowledge of the side effects, interactions and uses of many drugs for: antidepressants, alternative depression treatments, sleep aids, ADD, ADHD, psychiatric meds, weight loss, fibro, thyroid (Armour) versus synthetic, endocrinology, HRT, natural homeopathic drug interactions, toxicology, steroids, blood pressure, anxiety, birth control pills, Migraines, headaches, pain medications, TMJ, antibiotics, sinus and otolaryngoloy medications, as well as Immune therapy and allergy treatments, and many more. I would like to extend my knowledge and exerience to you, and offer advice so please don't hesitate to ask if you have a question. Every question is important, and no question is too difficult.
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 I cannot say that there is a maxium dosage without knowing your height and weight, that is more relevant than that you are 21.
I would step up the dosage in increments up to 10 mg every two weeks and end with 60mg, as you said. More than that and it may not be working for you.
Paxil is a lousy treatment for anxiety, I am sorry if this seems harsh, or impolite, but I personally think it is a weak drug, it has the shortest half life of all the antidepressants. For generalized anxiety you could try Klonipin, or Xanax, Buspar, Prozac, there are many options and better drugs out there than generic paxil. Or even try supplementing with calcium and a B complex.
Paxil XR would be better.
Hope this helps, and keep in mind that this is just my advice, you need to talk to your doctor about this of course.
