Optipar
Optipar is a medicine for adults that helps treat depression and anxiety by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
20 mg
Active Ingredient
Paroxetine hydrochloride
Manufacturer
Hexal A/S
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will prescribe your dose, usually 20 mg once daily, but this may vary depending on your condition.
Method
Take the tablets in the morning with food and swallow them whole with water. Do not chew them, but you can divide the tablet if needed.
Important
The maximum daily dose is usually 50-60 mg; for those over 65 or with liver/kidney problems, it is up to 40 mg.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Nausea (taking with food in the morning can help)
- •Changes in sexual desire or function (e.g., difficulty reaching orgasm or erection/ejaculation problems in men)
- •Increased blood cholesterol levels
- •Loss of appetite
- •Sleep problems (trouble sleeping or feeling very sleepy)
- •Abnormal dreams (including nightmares)
- •Dizziness
- •Trembling
- •Headache
- •Difficulty concentrating
- •Restlessness
- •Unusual weakness
- •Blurred vision
- •Yawning
- •Dry mouth
- •Diarrhea
- •Constipation
- •Vomiting
- •Weight gain
- •Sweating
RARE
- •Temporary changes in blood pressure (can cause dizziness when standing up quickly)
- •Faster than normal heart rate
- •Abnormal movements of the mouth and tongue, muscle stiffness, or tremor
- •Dilated pupils
- •Skin rashes
- •Itching
- •Confusion
- •Hallucinations (seeing or hearing strange things)
- •Problems urinating (inability to urinate or accidental urination)
- •Low white blood cell count
- •Difficulty controlling blood sugar (for people with diabetes)
- •Abnormal breast milk production in men and women
- •Slow heart rate
- •Liver problems (visible in blood tests)
- •Panic attacks
- •Overactive behavior or thoughts (mania)
- •Feeling detached from one's own body (depersonalization)
- •Uncontrollable urge to move legs (restless legs syndrome)
- •Joint or muscle pain
- •Increased blood prolactin levels
- •Menstrual disorders (heavy or irregular bleeding, bleeding between periods, missed or delayed periods)
- •Severe skin reactions (e.g., rashes with blisters, target-like spots, widespread skin peeling)
- •Liver problems causing yellowing of skin or eyes
- •Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH, too much water in the body and low sodium)
- •Fluid retention (swollen hands or feet)
- •Sensitivity to sunlight
- •Painful and persistent erection (priapism)
- •Low platelet count
- •Teeth grinding
- •Ringing, buzzing, whistling, or other persistent sound in the ears (tinnitus)
- •Inflammation of the large intestine (colitis), causing diarrhea
- •Very heavy vaginal bleeding soon after childbirth (postpartum hemorrhage)
- •Aggression
Important Warnings
- Do not take Optipar if you are currently using or have used MAOI medicines (e.g., moclobemide) in the last two weeks.
- Do not take Optipar if you are also taking certain antipsychotic medicines called thioridazine or pimozide.
- Do not take Optipar if you are allergic to paroxetine or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- Optipar should not be given to children or adolescents under 18 years old due to an increased risk of serious side effects like suicidal thoughts or hostile behavior.
- If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself or suicide, contact your doctor immediately or go to a hospital.
Show 5 more warnings
- Watch for signs of 'serotonin syndrome' like extreme agitation, confusion, sweating, trembling, muscle stiffness, or a fast heartbeat. If you experience these, contact your doctor right away.
- Tell your doctor if you are prone to bleeding or take medicines that increase bleeding, such as blood thinners.
- If you feel very restless and cannot sit or stand still, it could be a condition called akathisia. Contact your doctor if this happens.
- Seek immediate medical help if you develop severe allergic reactions such as red, lumpy skin rash, swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing.
- Contact your doctor immediately or go to the hospital if you cannot urinate, have seizures, or feel very tired, weak, or confused with muscle aches (signs of low sodium).
Use in Elderly Patients
Category D
Avoid use in older adults. Serotonergic. Consider another SSRI antidepressant for primary treatment. A significant adverse effect is low serum sodium level. Increases risk of falls. Consider potential significant interactions, especially with other drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. (updated 12.2.2024)