Paroxetine
Prescription Required
Indications
Brisdelle is a prescription medication used for the treatment of moderate to severe hot flashes associated with menopause.
Brisdelle contains the active ingredient paroxetine, which is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).
Brisdelle is currently the only nonhormonal brand-name medication approved to treat hot flashes during menopause.
Use and Dosage
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking paroxetine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
There are different brands of this medication available. Do not change brands without asking your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily at bedtime.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.
Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Also, you may experience mood swings, headache, tiredness, sleep changes, and brief feelings like electric shock. To prevent these symptoms while you are stopping treatment with this drug, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Report any new or worsening symptoms right away.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Brisdelle (hives, difficulty breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as mood or behaviour changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- Racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, unusual risk-taking behaviour, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness, being more talkative than usual
- Blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights
- Unusual bone pain or tenderness, swelling or bruising
- Changes in weight or appetite
- Easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), coughing up blood
- Severe nervous system reaction – very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, fainting
- Low levels of sodium in the body – headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady
Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Common Brisdelle side effects may include:
- Vision changes
- Weakness, drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness
- Sweating, anxiety, shaking
- Sleep problems (insomnia)
- Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
- Dry mouth, yawning
- Infection
- Headache
- Decreased sex drive, impotence, abnormal ejaculation, or difficulty having an orgasm
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.
Cautions
Before taking paroxetine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: personal or family history of bipolar/manic-depressive disorder, personal or family history of suicide attempts, liver problems, kidney problems, low sodium in the blood, seizures, bleeding problems, personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure type).
This drug may make you dizzy, drowsy, or blur your vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially bleeding or loss of coordination. Older adults may also be more likely to develop a type of salt imbalance (hyponatremia), especially if they are also taking “water pills” (diuretics). Loss of coordination can increase the risk of falling.
If this medication is used by children, they may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially loss of appetite and weight loss. Monitor the weight and height of children who are taking this drug.
This medication is not usually used by women of childbearing age. However, if you are prescribed this medication for another use besides menopausal symptoms (see Other Uses section), do not stop taking it unless directed by your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Paroxetine is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, immediately discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medication during pregnancy. Babies born to mothers who have used this drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy may rarely develop withdrawal symptoms such as feeding/breathing difficulties, seizures, muscle stiffness, or constant crying. If you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn, tell the doctor promptly.
This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Form and Strengths
Brisdelle is available in the following form and strengths:
Paroxetine Tablet:
- 7.5 mg
FAQ
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line. An overdose of paroxetine can be fatal.
What to avoid?
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how paroxetine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others. Using an NSAID with paroxetine may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.
Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.
Resources:
Additional information
Brand Name: |
Brisdelle |
|---|---|
Scientific Name: |
Paroxetine |
Other Names: |
Paroxetine |
Strength(s): |
7.5mg |
Quantities Available: |
90 |
Formulation: |
Tablet |
