Paxil CR-make anyone extremely tired? - Anxiety Message Board

KerriNH · 12-10-2004, 11:33 AM

Hi all-
I was on PAxil a few years ago and had very few side effects. A couple of weeks ago my Dr. suggested i try Paxil CR for my anxiety. Anyways, I have been so tired, I'm trying to figure out if it is the Paxil CR. I take it before bed and boy does it knock me out, I am also very tired still when I wake up!
HAs anyone had this experience and if so did it go away after a few weeks??
Thank You!

hry33 · 12-10-2004, 02:08 PM

it may well be the paxil, the usual advice is to reduce the dose by half for 2 weeks but this can be difficult with CR tablets ask a pharmacist for advice

early side effects from antidepressants generally stop after 2 weeks or so as your system gets used to the med

kali23 · 12-10-2004, 04:07 PM

I took Paxil for a while, but I had side effects that wouldn't go away, such as major fatique and sexual side effects. I also gained a lot of weight while on Paxil which did not occur while on other medications. I guess these medications really affect everyone differently because my brother has been taking Paxil CR for quite a while with no side effects at all. I would suggest sticking with it for a few weeks to see if you still suffer from tiredness or other side effects. If no improvement, talk to your doctor about switching you to something else. Good luck!

56carnival · 12-11-2004, 08:30 AM

Paxil didn't make me extremely tired but it did make me extremely fat. I went from 215 to 238. It did work for me but I could not stand the weight gain and my blood pressure went up. My doc put me on a BP med and I switched to Effexor 75.5 mg and it is much better for me. Lost 4 lbs and I am back in the gym again. Forgot but the paxil just made me not care about going to the gym or anything and I have always worked out since HS. I don't know what the paxil did but I don't know how I let myself gain weight like that because I have always taken care of my body. It just made me not care. Oh well that is just me. I am much happier with the Effexor now. (Taking for SAD)

CyberNick · 12-11-2004, 02:35 PM

Fatigue is pretty much the most common side effect from Paxil, at least that's what my doctor advised me of. I've been on Paxil for about 1 week and 3 days now for SAD (10mg/day for a week, then 20mg a day), and initially I did notice I felt exhausted much more easily and was practically falling asleep in my classes. It also made my anxiety/palpitations much worse initially, and I had to increase my Klonopin doseage. The fatigue is much better now though, but I just got a sinus infection so I can't really notice a change in my anxiety yet

. My anxiety always acts up when I get sick.

SSRI's have different effects on everyone, and if you are experiencing normal side effects they usually won't last more than 1-2 weeks. If you still feel fatigued after 3-4 weeks I'd try something else.