Adults 

Major Depressive Disorder: 

SEROXAT CR tablets are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).

Panic Disorder: 

SEROXAT CR tablets have been shown to be effective in the treatment of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: 

SEROXAT CR tablets are indicated for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

 

 

Social Anxiety Disorder/Social Phobia: 

SEROXAT CR Tablets have been shown to be effective in the treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder/Social Phobia.

The effectiveness of SEROXAT CR tablets in the long-term treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder/Social Phobia has not been evaluated. Therefore, if SEROXAT CR tablets are to be administered for extended periods in the treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder/Social Phobia, the physician should periodically re-evaluate the long-term usefulness of SEROXAT CR for the individual patient.

Children and adolescents (less than 18 years) 

All Indications: 

SEROXAT CR is not indicated for use in children or adolescents aged less than 18 years (see Warnings and Precautions).

The efficacy of SEROXAT CR tablets has not been studied in children or adolescents aged less than 18 years; however, controlled clinical studies with SEROXAT IR (immediate release) tablets in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder failed to demonstrate efficacy, and do not support the use of SEROXAT in the treatment of depression in this population (see Warnings and Precautions).

The safety and efficacy of SEROXAT in children aged less than 7 years has not been studied.

Adults 

SEROXAT CR tablets should be administered as a single daily dose, usually in the morning, with or without food. Patients should be informed that SEROXAT CR tablets should not be chewed or crushed, and should be swallowed whole.

Major Depressive Disorder: 

The recommended initial dose is 25 mg/day.  Some patients not responding to a 25 mg dose may benefit from dose increases in 12.5 mg/day increments, up to a maximum of 62.5 mg/day according to patient response.  Dose changes should occur at intervals of at least 1 week.

As with all antidepressant drugs, dosage should be reviewed and adjusted, if necessary, within 2 to 3 weeks of initiation of therapy and thereafter as judged clinically appropriate.

Patients with depression should be treated for a sufficient period to ensure that they are free from symptoms. This period may be several months.

 

Panic Disorder: 

Patients should begin treatment on 12.5 mg/day and the dose increased weekly in 12.5 mg/day increments according to patient response.  Some patients may benefit from having their dose increased up to a maximum of 75 mg/day.

A low initial starting dose is recommended to minimise the potential worsening of panic symptomatology which is generally recognised to occur early in the treatment of this disorder.

Patients with panic disorder should be treated for a sufficient period to ensure that they are free from symptoms. This period may be several months or even longer.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: 

The recommended initial dose is 12.5 mg/day.  Some patients not responding to a 12.5 mg dose may benefit from having their dose increased to 25 mg/day. Dose changes should occur at intervals of at least 1 week.

Patients with PMDD should be periodically assessed to determine the need for continual treatment.

Social Anxiety Disorder/Social Phobia: 

The recommended initial dose is 12.5 mg daily.  Some patients not responding to a 12.5 mg dose may benefit from having dose increases in 12.5 mg/day increments as required, up to a maximum of 37.5 mg/day according to the patient's response. Dose changes should occur at intervals of at least 1 week.

General Information 

Other Populations 

Elderly: 

Increased plasma concentrations of paroxetine occur in elderly subjects, but the range of concentrations overlaps with that observed in younger subjects.

Dosing should commence at 12.5 mg/day and may be increased up to 50 mg/day.

Children and adolescents (less than 18 years): 

SEROXAT CR is not indicated for use in children or adolescents aged less than 18 years (see Indications, Warnings and Precautions).

Renal/hepatic impairment: 

Increased plasma concentrations of paroxetine occur in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min) or in those with hepatic impairment. The dosage should be restricted to the lower end of the range.

DISCONTINUATION OF SEROXAT 

As with other psychoactive medications, abrupt discontinuation should generally be avoided (see Warnings and Precautions and Adverse Reactions). The taper phase regimen used in recent clinical trials involved a decrease in the daily dose by 10 mg/day (equivalent to 12.5 mg/day CR tablets) at weekly intervals.

When a daily dose of 20 mg/day (equivalent to 25 mg/day CR tablets) was reached, patients were continued on this dose for 1 week before treatment was stopped. If intolerable symptoms occur following a decrease in the dose or upon discontinuation of treatment, then resuming the previously prescribed dose may be considered. Subsequently, the physician may continue decreasing the dose, but at a more gradual rate.

Known hypersensitivity to paroxetine and excipients. SEROXAT CR tablets should not be used in combination with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (including linezolid, an antibiotic which is a reversible non selective MAO inhibitor and methylthioninium chloride (methylene blue)) or within two weeks of terminating treatment with MAO inhibitors. Likewise, MAO inhibitors should not be introduced within two weeks of cessation of therapy with SEROXAT CR tablets (see Interactions). SEROXAT CR should not be used in patients receiving medications that can prolong QT interval and are also metabolised by CYP450 2D6, such as thioridazine or pimozide (see Interactions).

Children and Adolescents (less than 18 years) 

Treatment with antidepressants is associated with an increased risk of suicidal thinking and behaviour in children and adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. In clinical trials of SEROXAT in children and adolescents, adverse events related to suicidality (suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts) and hostility (predominantly aggression, oppositional behaviour and anger) were more frequently observed in patients treated with SEROXAT compared to those treated with placebo (see Adverse Reactions). Long-term safety data in children and adolescents concerning growth, maturation and cognitive and behavioural development are lacking.

Clinical worsening and suicide risk in adults 

Young adults, especially those with MDD, may be at increased risk for suicidal behaviour during treatment with SEROXAT CR. An analysis of placebo-controlled trials of adults with psychiatric disorders showed a higher frequency of suicidal behaviour in young adults (prospectively defined as aged 18 to 24 years) treated with paroxetine compared with placebo (17/776 [2.19%] versus 5/542 [0.92%]), although this difference was not statistically significant.  In the older age groups (aged 25 to 64 years and ≥65 years), no such increase was observed.  In adults with MDD (all ages), there was a statistically significant increase in the frequency of suicidal behaviour in patients treated with paroxetine compared with placebo (11/3455 [0.32%] versus 1/1978 [0.05%]; all of the events were suicide attempts).  However, the majority of these attempts for paroxetine (8 of 11) were in younger adults aged 18 to 30 years.  These MDD data suggest that the higher frequency observed in the younger adult population across psychiatric disorders may extend beyond the age of 24. 

Patients with depression may experience worsening of their depressive symptoms and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation and behaviours (suicidality) whether or not they are taking antidepressant medications. This risk persists until significant remission occurs. It is general clinical experience with all antidepressant therapies that the risk of suicide may increase in the early stages of recovery. Other psychiatric conditions for which SEROXAT is prescribed can be associated with an increased risk of suicidal behaviour, and these conditions may also be co-morbid with MDD. Additionally, patients with a history of suicidal behaviour or thoughts, young adults, and those patients exhibiting a significant degree of suicidal ideation prior to commencement of treatment, are at a greater risk of suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts. All patients should be monitored for clinical worsening (including development of new symptoms) and suicidality throughout treatment, and especially at the beginning of a course of treatment, or at the time of dose changes, either increases or decreases.

Patients (and caregivers of patients) should be alerted about the need to monitor for any worsening of their condition (including development of new symptoms) and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation/behaviour or thoughts of harming themselves and to seek medical advice immediately if these symptoms present.  It should be recognised that the onset of some symptoms, such as agitation, akathisia or mania, could be related either to the underlying disease state or the drug therapy (see Akathisia and Mania and Bipolar Disorder below; Adverse Reactions).

Consideration should be given to changing the therapeutic regimen, including possibly discontinuing the medication, in patients who experience clinical worsening (including development of new symptoms) and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation/behaviour, especially if these symptoms are severe, abrupt in onset, or were not part of the patient’s presenting symptoms.

Akathisia 

Rarely, the use of SEROXAT or other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been associated with the development of akathisia, which is characterised by an inner sense of restlessness and psychomotor agitation such as an inability to sit or stand still usually associated with subjective distress. This is most likely to occur within the first few weeks of treatment.

Serotonin Syndrome/Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome 

On rare occasions development of a serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome-like events may occur in association with SEROXAT treatment, particularly when given in combination with other serotonergic and/or neuroleptic drugs.  As these syndromes may result in potentially life-threatening conditions, treatment with SEROXAT should be discontinued if such events (characterised by clusters of symptoms such as hyperthermia, rigidity, myoclonus, autonomic instability with possible rapid fluctuations of vital signs, mental status changes including confusion, irritability, extreme agitation progressing to delirium and coma) occur and supportive symptomatic treatment should be initiated. SEROXAT should not be used in combination with serotonin-precursors (such as L-tryptophan, oxitriptan) due to the risk of serotonergic syndrome (see Contraindications, Interactions).

Mania and Bipolar disorder 

A major depressive episode may be the initial presentation of bipolar disorder. It is generally believed (though not established in controlled trials) that treating such an episode with an antidepressant alone can increase the likelihood of precipitation of a mixed/manic episode in patients at risk for bipolar disorder.  Prior to initiating treatment with an antidepressant, patients should be adequately screened to determine if they are at risk for bipolar disorder; such screening should include a detailed psychiatric history, including a family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, and depression. It should be noted that paroxetine is not approved for use in treating bipolar depression.  As with all antidepressants, paroxetine should be used with caution in patients with a history of mania.

Tamoxifen 

Some studies have shown that the efficacy of tamoxifen, as measured by the risk of breast cancer relapse/mortality, may be reduced when co-prescribed with SEROXAT CR as a result of paroxetine’s irreversible inhibition of CYP2D6 (see Interactions).  This risk may increase with longer duration of co-administration. When tamoxifen is used for the treatment or prevention of breast cancer, prescribers should consider using an alternative antidepressant with little or no CYP2D6 inhibition.

Bone fracture 

Epidemiological studies on bone fracture risk following exposure to some antidepressants, including SSRIs, have reported an association with fractures. The risk occurs during treatment and is greatest in the early stages of therapy. The possibility of fracture should be considered in the care of patients treated with SEROXAT CR.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors 

Treatment with SEROXAT CR should be initiated cautiously at least two weeks after terminating treatment with MAO inhibitors and dosage of SEROXAT CR should be increased gradually until optimal response is reached (see Contraindications, Interactions).

Renal/hepatic impairment 

Caution is recommended in patients with severe renal impairment or in those with hepatic impairment (see Dosage and Administration).

Epilepsy 

As with other antidepressants, SEROXAT CR should be used with caution in patients with epilepsy.

Seizures 

Overall the incidence of seizures is less than 0.1% in patients treated with paroxetine.  The drug should be discontinued in any patient who develops seizures.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 

There is little clinical experience of the concurrent administration of paroxetine with ECT.

Glaucoma 

As with other SSRIs, paroxetine can cause mydriasis and should be used with caution in patients with narrow angle glaucoma.

Hyponatraemia 

Hyponatraemia has been reported rarely, predominantly in the elderly. The hyponatraemia generally reverses on discontinuation of paroxetine.

Haemorrhage 

Skin and mucous membrane bleedings (including gastrointestinal and gynaecological bleeding) have been reported following treatment with paroxetine. Paroxetine should therefore be used with caution in patients concomitantly treated with drugs that give an increased risk for bleeding, and in patients with a known tendency for bleeding or those with predisposing conditions (see Adverse Reactions). SSRIs may increase the risk of postpartum haemorrhage (see Pregnancy and Lactation).

Cardiac Conditions 

The usual precautions should be observed in patients with cardiac conditions.

QT Prolongation

Cases of QT interval prolongation have been reported, although causality with paroxetine has not been established.

Seroxat CR should be used with caution in patients with a history of QT interval prolongation, patients taking anti-arrhythmic or other medications that may potentially prolong QT interval, or those with relevant pre-existing cardiac disease.

For further information, see Contraindications and Interactions.

Symptoms seen on discontinuation of SEROXAT treatment in adults: 

In clinical trials in adults, adverse events seen on treatment discontinuation occurred in 30% of patients treated with SEROXAT compared to 20% of patients treated with placebo. The occurrence of discontinuation symptoms is not the same as the drug being addictive or dependence producing as with a substance of abuse. 

Dizziness, sensory disturbances (including paraesthesia, electric shock sensations and tinnitus), sleep disturbances (including intense dreams), agitation or anxiety, nausea, tremor, confusion, sweating, headache, diarrhoea have been reported.  Generally, these symptoms are mild to moderate, however, in some patients they may be severe in intensity.  They usually occur within the first few days of discontinuing treatment, but there have been very rare reports of such symptoms in patients who have inadvertently missed a dose.  Generally, these symptoms are self-limiting and usually resolve within two weeks, though in some individuals they may be prolonged (two to three months or more).  It is therefore advised that SEROXAT should be gradually tapered when discontinuing treatment over a period of several weeks or months, according to the patient's needs (see "Discontinuation of SEROXAT", Dosage and Administration).

Sexual dysfunction 

SSRIs may cause symptoms of sexual dysfunction (see Adverse Reactions). There have been reports of long-lasting sexual dysfunction where the symptoms have continued despite discontinuation of SSRIs. 

Symptoms seen on discontinuation of SEROXAT treatment in children and adolescents: 

In clinical trials in children and adolescents, adverse events seen on treatment discontinuation occurred in 32% of patients treated with SEROXAT compared to 24% of patients treated with placebo.  Events reported upon discontinuation of SEROXAT at a frequency of at least 2% of patients and which occurred at a rate at least twice that of placebo were: emotional lability (including suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, mood changes and tearfulness), nervousness, dizziness, nausea and abdominal pain (see Adverse Reactions).

SEROXAT CR 12.5 mg tablets only 

The paroxetine 12.5 mg controlled release tablet coating (Opadry Yellow: YS-1-2007) contains the colouring agent Sunset Yellow Lake (FD&C Yellow No. 6 aluminium lake), an azo dye which may cause allergic-type reactions.

Serotonergic drugs

As with other SSRIs, co-administration with serotonergic drugs may lead to an incidence of 5‑HT associated effects (serotonin syndrome: see Warnings and Precautions).  Caution should be advised, and a closer clinical monitoring is required when serotonergic drugs (such as L‑tryptophan, triptans, tramadol, SSRIs, lithium, fentanyl and St. John's Wort – Hypericum perforatum – preparations) are combined with SEROXAT CR. 

Concomitant use of SEROXAT CR and MAO inhibitors (including linezolid, an antibiotic which is a reversible non‑selective MAO inhibitor and methylthioninium chloride (methylene blue)) is contraindicated (see Contraindications).

Pimozide

Increased pimozide levels have been demonstrated in a study of a single low dose pimozide (2 mg) when co‑administered with paroxetine.  This is explained by the known CYP2D6 inhibitory properties of paroxetine.  Due to the narrow therapeutic index of pimozide and its known ability to prolong QT interval, concomitant use of pimozide and SEROXAT CR tablets is contraindicated (see Contraindications).

Drug metabolising enzymes

The metabolism and pharmacokinetics of paroxetine may be affected by the induction or inhibition of drug metabolising enzymes.

When paroxetine is to be co-administered with a known drug metabolising enzyme inhibitor, consideration should be given to using doses at the lower end of the range.

No initial dosage adjustment is considered necessary when the drug is to be co‑administered with known drug metabolising enzyme inducers (e.g. carbamazepine, rifampicin, phenobarbital, phenytoin).  Any subsequent dosage adjustment should be guided by clinical effect (tolerability and efficacy).

Fosamprenavir/ritonavir: Co-administration of fosamprenavir/ritonavir with paroxetine significantly decreased plasma levels of paroxetine. Any dose adjustment should be guided by clinical effect (tolerability and efficacy).

Procyclidine:  Daily administration of paroxetine increases significantly the plasma levels of procyclidine.  If anti-cholinergic effects are seen, the dose of procyclidine should be reduced.

Anticonvulsants:  carbamazepine, phenytoin, sodium valproate.  Concomitant administration does not seem to show any effect on pharmacokinetic/dynamic profile in epileptic patients.

 

Neuromuscular Blockers

SSRIs may reduce plasma cholinesterase activity resulting in a prolongation of the neuromuscular blocking action of mivacurium and suxamethonium.

CYP2D6 inhibitory potency of paroxetine

As with other antidepressants, including other SSRIs, paroxetine inhibits the hepatic cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2D6.  Inhibition of CYP2D6 may lead to increased plasma concentrations of co-administered drugs metabolised by this enzyme.  These include certain tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline, nortriptyline, imipramine and desipramine), phenothiazine neuroleptics (e.g. perphenazine and thioridazine, see Contraindications), risperidone, atomoxetine, certain Type 1c antiarrhythmics (e.g. propafenone and flecainide) and metoprolol.

Tamoxifen has an important active metabolite, endoxifen, which is produced by CYP2D6 and contributes significantly to the efficacy of tamoxifen.  Irreversible inhibition of CYP2D6 by paroxetine leads to reduced plasma concentrations of endoxifen (see Warnings and Precautions).

CYP3A4

An in vivo interaction study involving the co-administration under steady state conditions of paroxetine and terfenadine, a substrate for cytochrome CYP3A4, revealed no effect of paroxetine on terfenadine pharmacokinetics. A similar in vivo interaction study revealed no effect of paroxetine on alprazolam pharmacokinetics and vice-versa. Concurrent administration of paroxetine with terfenadine, alprazolam and other drugs that are CYP3A4 substrates would not be expected to cause a hazard.

Clinical studies have shown the absorption and pharmacokinetics of paroxetine to be unaffected or only marginally affected (i.e. at a level which warrants no change in dosing regimen) by:

·       food

·       antacids

·       digoxin

·       propranolol

alcohol: paroxetine does not increase the impairment of mental and motor skills caused by alcohol, however, the concomitant use of SEROXAT and alcohol is not advised

Fertility 

Some clinical studies have shown that SSRIs (including SEROXAT) may affect sperm quality. This effect appears to be reversible following discontinuation of treatment. Changes in sperm quality may affect fertility in some men.

Pregnancy 

Animal studies have not shown any teratogenic or selective embryotoxic effects.

Epidemiological studies of pregnancy outcomes following maternal exposure to antidepressants in the first trimester have reported an increase in the risk of congenital malformations, particularly cardiovascular (e.g. ventricular and atrial septal defects), associated with the use of paroxetine.  The data suggest that the risk of having an infant with a cardiovascular defect following maternal paroxetine exposure is approximately 1/50, compared with an expected rate for such defects of approximately 1/100 infants in the general population.

The prescribing physician will need to weigh the option of alternative treatments in women who are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, and should only prescribe SEROXAT CR if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk.  If a decision is taken to discontinue SEROXAT CR treatment in a pregnant woman, the prescriber should consult Dosage and Administration - Discontinuation of SEROXAT and Warnings and Precautions – Symptoms seen on discontinuation of SEROXAT treatment in adults.

There have been reports of premature birth in pregnant women exposed to paroxetine or other SSRIs, although a causal relationship with drug therapy has not been established.

Observational data have provided evidence of an increased risk (less than two-fold) of postpartum haemorrhage following exposure to SSRIs within one month prior to birth.

Neonates should be observed if maternal use of SEROXAT continues into the later stages of pregnancy, because there have been reports of complications in neonates exposed to SEROXAT or other SSRIs late in the third trimester of pregnancy.  However, a causal association with drug therapy has not been confirmed.  Reported clinical findings have included: respiratory distress, cyanosis, apnoea, seizures, temperature instability, feeding difficulty, vomiting, hypoglycaemia, hypertonia, hypotonia, hyperreflexia, tremor, jitteriness, irritability, lethargy, constant crying and somnolence. In some instances the reported symptoms were described as neonatal withdrawal symptoms. In a majority of instances the complications were reported to have arisen either immediately or soon (<24 hours) after delivery.

Epidemiological studies have shown that the use of SSRIs (including paroxetine) in pregnancy, particularly use in late pregnancy, was associated with an increased risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).  The increased risk among infants born to women who used SSRIs late in pregnancy was reported to be four to five times higher than observed in the general population (rate of 1 to 2 per1000 pregnancies).

Lactation 

Small amounts of paroxetine are excreted into breast milk.  In published studies, serum concentrations in breast-fed infants were undetectable (<2 nanograms/mL) or very low (<4 nanograms/mL).  No signs of drug effects were observed in these infants.  Nevertheless, SEROXAT should not be used during lactation unless the expected benefits to the mother justify the potential risks for the infant.

Clinical experience has shown that therapy with SEROXAT is not associated with impairment of cognitive or psychomotor function. However, as with all psychoactive drugs, patients should be cautioned about their ability to drive a car and operate machinery.

Although paroxetine does not increase the mental and motor skill impairments caused by alcohol, the concomitant use of SEROXAT CR and alcohol is not advised.

Some of the adverse experiences listed below may decrease in intensity and frequency with continued treatment and do not generally lead to cessation of therapy.

Adverse drug reactions are listed below by system organ class and frequency.  Frequencies are defined as very common (³1/10), common (³1/100, <1/10), uncommon (³1/1,000, <1/100), rare (³1/10,000, <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000), including isolated reports.  Common and uncommon events were generally determined from pooled safety data from a clinical trial population of >8000 paroxetine-treated patients and are quoted as excess incidence over placebo.  Rare and very rare events were generally determined from post-marketing data and refer to reporting rate rather than true frequency.

Blood & lymphatic system disorders
Uncommon: abnormal bleeding, predominantly of the skin and mucous membranes (including ecchymosis and gynaecological bleeding).
Very rare: thrombocytopenia.

Unknown: Leukopenia

 

 

Immune system disorders
Very rare: severe allergic reactions (including anaphylactoid reactions and angioedema).

Endocrine disorders
Very rare: syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).

Metabolism & nutrition disorders
Common: increases in cholesterol levels, decreased appetite.
Rare: hyponatraemia.

Hyponatraemia has been reported predominantly in elderly patients and is sometimes due to syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).

 

Psychiatric disorders
Common: somnolence, insomnia, agitation, abnormal dreams (including nightmares).
Uncommon: confusion, hallucinations.
Rare: manic reactions.

These symptoms may be due to the underlying disease.

Nervous system disorders
Common: dizziness, tremor, headache.
Uncommon: extrapyramidal disorders.
Rare: convulsions, akathisia, restless legs syndrome (RLS).
Very rare: serotonin syndrome (symptoms may include agitation, confusion, diaphoresis, hallucinations, hyperreflexia, myoclonus, shivering tachycardia and tremor).

Reports of extrapyramidal disorders including oro-facial dystonia have been received in patients sometimes with underlying movement disorders or who were using neuroleptic medication.

Eye disorders
Common: blurred vision.
Uncommon: mydriasis (see Warnings and Precautions).
Very rare: acute glaucoma.

Cardiac disorders
Uncommon: sinus tachycardia.

Vascular disorders
Uncommon: postural hypotension.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Common: yawning.

Gastrointestinal disorders
Very common: nausea.
Common: constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, dry mouth.
Very rare: gastrointestinal bleeding.

Hepatobiliary disorders
Rare: elevation of hepatic enzymes.
Very rare: hepatic events (such as hepatitis, sometimes associated with jaundice and/or liver failure).

Elevation of hepatic enzymes has been reported.  Post-marketing reports of hepatic events (such as hepatitis, sometimes associated with jaundice, and/or liver failure) have also been received very rarely. Discontinuation of paroxetine should be considered if there is prolonged elevation of liver function test results.

 

Skin & subcutaneous tissue disorders
Common: sweating.
Uncommon: skin rashes.
Very rare: severe cutaneous adverse reactions (including erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis), urticaria, photosensitivity reactions.

Renal & urinary disorders
Uncommon: urinary retention, urinary incontinence.

Reproductive system & breast disorders
Very common: sexual dysfunction.
Rare: hyperprolactinaemia/galactorrhoea, menstrual disorders (including menorrhagia, metrorrhagia and amenorrhoea).

General disorders & administration site conditions
Common: asthenia, body weight gain.
Very rare: peripheral oedema.

Symptoms seen on discontinuation of paroxetine treatment:
Common: dizziness, sensory disturbances, sleep disturbances, anxiety, headache.
Uncommon: agitation, nausea, tremor, confusion, sweating, diarrhoea.

As with many psychoactive medicines, discontinuation of SEROXAT (particularly when abrupt) may lead to symptoms such as dizziness, sensory disturbances (including paraesthesia, electric shock sensations and tinnitus), sleep disturbances (including intense dreams), agitation or anxiety, nausea, headache, tremor, confusion, diarrhoea and sweating. In the majority of patients, these events are mild to moderate and are self-limiting. No particular patient group appears to be at higher risk of these symptoms; it is therefore advised that when paroxetine treatment is no longer required, gradual discontinuation by dose tapering be carried out (see Dosage and Administration and Warnings and Precautions).

Adverse Events from Paediatric Clinical Trials

In paediatric clinical trials the following adverse events, were reported at a frequency of at least 2% of patients and occurred at a rate at least twice that of placebo: emotional lability (including self-harm, suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide, crying and mood fluctuations), hostility, decreased appetite, tremor, sweating, hyperkinesia and agitation.  Suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts were mainly observed in clinical trials of adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder. Hostility occurred particularly in children with obsessive compulsive disorder, and especially in younger children less than 12 years of age).

In studies that used a tapering regimen (daily dose decreased by 10 mg/day at weekly intervals to a dose of 10 mg/day for one week), symptoms reported during the taper phase or upon discontinuation of SEROXAT at a frequency of at least 2% of patients and occurred at a rate at least twice that of placebo were: emotional lability, nervousness, dizziness, nausea and abdominal pain (see Warnings and Precautions).

To report any side effect(s):

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

-National Pharmacovigilance centre (NPC)

• Reporting hotline: 19999
• E-mail: npc.drug@sfda.gov.sa 
• Website: https://ade.sfda.gov.sa

-GlaxoSmithKline - Head Office, Jeddah

• Tel:  +966-12-6536666
• Mobile: +966-56-904-9882
• Email: saudi.safety@gsk.com 
• Website: https://gskpro.com/en-sa/
• P.O. Box 55850, Jeddah 21544, Saudi Arabia

 

For any information about this medicinal product, please contact:

GlaxoSmithKline - Head Office, Jeddah

• Tel:  +966-12-6536666
• Mobile: +966-56-904-9882
• Email: gcc.medinfo@gsk.com
• Website: https://gskpro.com/en-sa/
• P.O. Box 55850, Jeddah 21544, Saudi Arabia

Symptoms and Signs 

A wide margin of safety is evident from available overdose information on SEROXAT.

Experience of SEROXAT in overdose has indicated that, in addition to those symptoms mentioned under Adverse Reactions, fever, blood pressure changes, involuntary muscle contractions, anxiety and tachycardia have been reported.

Patients have generally recovered without serious sequelae even when doses of up to 2000 mg have been taken alone. Events such as coma or ECG changes have occasionally been reported and, very rarely a fatal outcome, but generally when SEROXAT was taken in conjunction with other psychotropic drugs with or without alcohol.

Treatment 

No specific antidote is known.

The treatment should consist of those general measures employed in the management of overdose with any antidepressant.  Supportive care with frequent monitoring of vital signs and careful observation is indicated. Patient management should be as clinically indicated, or as recommended by the national poisons centre, where available.

 

ATC Code 

Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) code: N06A B05.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antidepressants – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Mechanism of Action 

Paroxetine is a potent and selective inhibitor of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) re-uptake and its antidepressant action and efficacy in the treatment of OCD and panic disorder is thought to be related to its specific inhibition of serotonin re-uptake in brain neurones.

Paroxetine is chemically unrelated to the tricyclic, tetracyclic and other available antidepressants.

Paroxetine has low affinity for muscarinic cholinergic receptors and animal studies have indicated only weak anticholinergic properties.

In accordance with this selective action, in vitro studies have indicated that, in contrast to tricyclic antidepressants, paroxetine has little affinity for alpha₁, alpha₂ and beta-adrenoceptors, dopamine (D2), 5-HT₁ like, 5-HT₂ and histamine (H₁) receptors. This lack of interaction with post-synaptic receptors in vitro is substantiated by in vivo studies which demonstrate lack of CNS depressant and hypotensive properties.

Pharmacodynamic Effects 

Paroxetine does not impair psychomotor function and does not potentiate the depressant effects of ethanol.

As with other selective 5-HT uptake inhibitors, paroxetine causes symptoms of excessive 5-HT receptor stimulation when administered to animals previously given monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or tryptophan.

Behavioural and EEG studies indicate that paroxetine is weakly activating at doses generally above those required to inhibit 5-HT uptake. The activating properties are not "amphetamine-like" in nature.

Animal studies indicate that paroxetine is well tolerated by the cardiovascular system.

Paroxetine produces no clinically significant changes in blood pressure, heart rate and ECG after administration to healthy subjects.

Studies indicate that, in contrast to antidepressants which inhibit the uptake of nor-adrenaline, paroxetine has a much-reduced propensity to inhibit the antihypertensive effects of guanethidine.

Absorption 

Paroxetine is well absorbed after oral dosing and undergoes first-pass metabolism. SEROXAT CR tablets control the dissolution rate of paroxetine over a period of four to five hours. In addition to controlling the rate of drug release in vivo, an enteric coat delays the start of drug release until SEROXAT CR tablets have left the stomach. Compared to immediate release formulations of paroxetine, controlled release tablets have a reduced absorption rate.

Due to first-pass metabolism, the amount of paroxetine available to the systemic circulation is less than that absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

Steady state systemic levels are attained by 7 to 14 days after starting treatment with immediate or controlled release formulations and pharmacokinetics do not appear to change during long-term therapy.

Distribution 

Paroxetine is extensively distributed into tissues and pharmacokinetic calculations indicate that only 1% of the paroxetine in the body resides in the plasma.

Approximately 95% of the paroxetine present in the plasma is protein bound at therapeutic concentrations.

No correlation has been found between paroxetine plasma concentrations and clinical effect (adverse experiences and efficacy).

Metabolism 

The principal metabolites of paroxetine are polar and conjugated products of oxidation and methylation, which are readily cleared. In view of their relative lack of pharmacological activity, it is most unlikely that they contribute to the therapeutic effects of paroxetine.

Metabolism does not compromise paroxetine's selective action on neuronal 5-HT uptake.

Elimination 

Urinary excretion of unchanged paroxetine is generally less than 2% of dose whilst that of metabolites is about 64% of dose. About 36% of the dose is excreted in faeces, probably via the bile, of which unchanged paroxetine represents less than 1% of the dose. Thus paroxetine is eliminated almost entirely by metabolism.

Metabolite excretion is biphasic, being initially a result of first-pass metabolism and subsequently controlled by systemic elimination of paroxetine.

The elimination half-life is variable but is generally about one day.

Special Patient Populations 

·       Elderly and Renal/Hepatic Impairment

Increased plasma concentrations of paroxetine occur in elderly subjects, in subjects with severe renal and in those with hepatic impairment, but the range of plasma concentrations overlaps that of healthy adult subjects.

5.3.Pre-Clinical Safety Data 

Toxicology studies have been conducted in rhesus monkeys and albino rats; in both, the metabolic pathway is similar to that described for humans.  As expected with lipophilic amines, including tricyclic antidepressants, phospholipidosis was detected in rats.  Phospholipidosis was not observed in primate studies of up to one year duration at doses that were six times higher than the recommended range of clinical doses.

Carcinogenesis:  In two-year studies conducted in mice and rats, paroxetine had no tumorigenic effect.

Genotoxicity:  Genotoxicity was not observed in a battery of in vitro and in vivo tests.

Tablet core: Hypromellose; Povidone; Lactose Monohydrate; Magnesium Stearate; Colloidal silicon dioxide; Glyceryl Dibehenate and the following colourants: Yellow Ferric Oxide (12.5 mg tablets) and Red Ferric Oxide (25 mg tablets).

Tablet coating:  Methacrylic Acid and Ethyl Acrylate Copolymer Dispersion; Talc; Triethyl citrate, Opadry Yellow, 15B120039 (12.5 mg tablets, includes the colouring agent Sunset Yellow Lake (FD&C Yellow No. 6 aluminium lake)), Opadry Pink, Y-1-1262 (25 mg tablets). For important information about some of these excipients see Warnings & Precautions.

There are no known incompatibilities with SEROXAT CR tablets

The expiry date is indicated on the packaging.

Store below 25°C.

Foil blister packs or HDPE bottles with child-resistant closures.

·       Seroxat CR is a Hazardous drug, as it may cause developmental toxicity and reproductive toxicity.

·       The tablets should not be divided, broken or crushed.

·       Pregnant caregivers and healthcare providers should avoid exposure to Seroxat CR tablets.

Not all packs are marketed in every country

SEROXAT is a trademark owned by or licensed to GSK group of companies.

© 2024 GSK group of companies. All rights reserved