Paxil Dosage

Generic name: paroxetine
Drug class: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Medically reviewed by  A Ras MD.

Recommended Adult Dosing

Dosage forms:  TAB: 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg; SUSP: 10 mg per 5 mL

Major depressive disorder

[20-50 mg PO qam]

Start: 20 mg PO qam, may incr. by 10 mg/day qwk; Max: 50 mg/day; Info: start 10 mg PO qam, max 40 mg/day in elderly pts; do not crush/chew tab; taper dose gradually to D/C

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

[40 mg PO qam]

Start: 20 mg PO qam, incr. by 10 mg/day qwk; Max: 60 mg/day; Info: start 10 mg PO qam, max 40 mg/day in elderly pts; do not crush/chew tab; taper dose gradually to D/C

Panic disorder

[40 mg PO qam]

Start: 10 mg PO qam, incr. by 10 mg/day qwk; Max: 60 mg/day; Info: max 40 mg/day in elderly pts; do not crush/chew tab; taper dose gradually to D/C

Social anxiety disorder

[20 mg PO qam]

Start: 20 mg PO qam, may incr. by 10 mg/day qwk; Max: 60 mg/day; Info: start 10 mg PO qam, max 40 mg/day in elderly pts; no proven additional benefit at doses >20 mg/day; do not crush/chew tab; taper dose gradually to D/C

Generalized anxiety disorder

[20 mg PO qam]

Start: 20 mg PO qam, may incr. by 10 mg/day qwk; Max: 50 mg/day; Info: start 10 mg PO qam, max 40 mg/day in elderly pts; no proven additional benefit at doses >20 mg/day; do not crush/chew tab; taper dose gradually to D/C

Post-traumatic stress disorder

[20 mg PO qam]

Start: 20 mg PO qam, may incr. by 10 mg/day qwk; Max: 50 mg/day; Info: start 10 mg PO qam, max 40 mg/day in elderly pts; no proven additional benefit at doses >20 mg/day; do not crush/chew tab; taper dose gradually to D/C

Renal dosing

[adjust dose amount]

CrCl <30: start 10 mg qd, max 40 mg/day

HD: decr. usual dose by 50%, max 40 mg/day; no supplement after dialysis; PD: decr. usual dose by 50%, max 40 mg/day; no supplement

Hepatic dosing

[adjust dose amount]

severe impairment: start 10 mg qd, max 40 mg/day

Recommended Peds Dosing

Dosage forms:  TAB: 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg; SUSP: 10 mg per 5 mL

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

[7-17 yo]

Dose: 10-60 mg PO qam; Start: 10 mg PO qam, may incr. by 10 mg/day q1-2wk; Max: 60 mg/day; Info: do not crush/chew tab; taper dose gradually to D/C

Social anxiety disorder

[8-17 yo]

Dose: 10-40 mg PO qam; Start: 10 mg PO qam, may incr. by 10 mg/day q1-2wk; Max: 50 mg/day; Info: do not crush/chew tab; taper dose gradually to D/C

Renal dosing

[not defined]

renal impairment: consider adult renal dosing for guidance

HD/PD: consider adult renal dosing for guidance

Hepatic dosing

[not defined]

hepatic impairment: consider adult hepatic dosing for guidance