Does Paxil-induced yawning go away? (5+ factors)
By
Ivan Kahwa
Author bio
Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:
Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Professional Experience:
Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.
With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.
Education:
2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Publications:
▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7
▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60
▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.
https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683
▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.
https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004
▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2
▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.
https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600
Published book Chapter
▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4
Submitted manuscripts Under Review:
▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience
▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine
▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Submitted book chapters under review
1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.
2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press
You can view my works on the following professional sites:
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437
Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159
In this article, we will explore whether Paxil-induced yawning goes away. Furthermore, we will discuss what the research suggests, the link between Paxil and yawning, users’ experiences, factors influencing the persistence of yawning, and what to do if Paxil-induced yawning persists.
Does Paxil-induced yawning go away?
Paxil-induced yawning may go away when your body adapts to Paxil, the dose is adjusted or you discontinue the medication. However, you should not adjust the dose or stop taking it on your own. Your healthcare provider must make this decision according to your specific needs.
Paxil, also known as Paroxetine, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant that is FDA-approved to treat anxiety, social phobia, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic attacks, and other related conditions.
Paxil works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain cells. Due to this blockade, serotonin levels are increased in the synaptic region and remain there for a longer period. The prolonged presence of serotonin in the synaptic region then regulates the body’s stress response, sleep, mood, and appetite (1).
What does research suggest about Paxil-induced yawning?
According to research studies, SSRIs such as Paxil, may induce yawning in individuals taking it to treat anxiety and depression. Yawning is observed as a common side effect of SSRI therapy and it may cause excessive daytime yawning (2,3).
Another research study indicated that when a patient was given SSRI treatment, he experienced excessive yawning. Initially, some tests were conducted to diagnose the underlying cause. However, yawning subsided only when the medication was gradually discontinued over a few weeks (4).
What is the link between Paxil and yawning?
The link between Paxil and yawning was found to be the increased serotonin levels. These increased levels of serotonin may cause a rise in the brain and body temperatures. Therefore, the body cools down by inducing excessive yawning in the patients taking Paxil or other SSRIs (5).
How often do people experience Paxil-induced yawning?
Paxil-induced yawning may occur more frequently in the morning time compared to the afternoon. A woman with symptoms of panic disorder started taking 10mg of Paxil and the very next day, she experienced excessive yawning without feeling sleepy.
Yawning was not controllable and occurred after every few seconds. She mostly experienced yawning in the morning time. When her dose of Paxil was reduced to 5mg, the frequency of yawns decreased, but it persisted. She had to discontinue Paxil and her yawning resolved completely (6).
What factors influence the persistence of Paxil-induced yawning?
The persistence of yawning may be influenced by several factors including:
- Higher doses of Paxil may increase the risk of excessive yawning compared to lower doses.
- Prolonged use of Paxil may cause yawning, but in some cases, it might disappear once the body gets adjusted to the medicine.
- Sensitive individuals may experience prolonged yawning due to their specific physiological responses to the medication.
- When Paxil is reduced or gradually discontinued, yawning may be stopped completely.
- Yawning may persist in some cases when Paxil is discontinued, as it takes time to leave the system, and the body also adjusts its neurotransmitter levels after discontinuation.
- Other underlying health conditions such as epilepsy, brain tumour, multiple sclerosis, heart, and liver-related issues may also cause excessive yawning in patients (4).
What to do if Paxil-induced yawning persists?
If Paxil-induced yawning persists and becomes bothersome, please reach out to your healthcare provider, they may suggest the following strategies to manage it:
- Your doctor may reduce the dose of Paxil to reduce the frequency of yawning.
- You should wait with patience as your body takes some time to adjust to the antidepressants, and yawning may disappear on its own.
- If yawning persists, your doctor may gradually taper you off Paxil and switch to an alternative antidepressant that does not cause yawning.
- Some patients may also find relief by practising relaxation techniques to overcome the stress caused by excessive yawning.
Conclusion
In my opinion, Paxil-induced yawning may go away on its own in some patients as their body gets adjusted to the medication. In other cases, yawning may be reduced by adjusting the dose of Paxil.
In severe cases, your doctor may discontinue Paxil gradually and switch you to an alternative antidepressant that does not cause yawning as a side effect. Do not reduce or stop taking any antidepressant on your own; always consult your healthcare provider.
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References
1.-
Shrestha P, Fariba KA, Abdijadid S. Paroxetine. 2023 Jul 17. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30252278. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30252278/
2.-
Beale MD, Murphree TM. Excessive yawning and SSRI therapy. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2000 Sep;3(3):275-276. doi: 10.1017/S1461145700001966. PMID: 11343604. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11343604/
3.-
Harada K. Paroxetine-induced excessive yawning. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2006 Apr;60(2):260. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1819.2006.01497.x. PMID: 16594955. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16594955/
4.-
Pal S, Padala PR. A case of excessive yawning with citalopram. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2009;11(3):125-6. doi: 10.4088/pcc.07l00555. PMID: 19617949; PMCID: PMC2708013. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2708013/
5.-
Gallup AC, Gallup GG Jr. Yawning and thermoregulation. Physiol Behav. 2008 Sep 3;95(1-2):10-6. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2008.05.003. Epub 2008 May 13. PMID: 18550130. Availabel from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18550130/
6.-
Khawaja H, Sanjel A, Upadhyay E, Khawaja IS. Antidepressant-Induced Yawning. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2021 Mar 11;23(2):20l02713. doi: 10.4088/PCC.20l02713. PMID: 34000114. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34000114/
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