Does Paxil work right away for anxiety? (3+ 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 discuss whether Paxil works right away for anxiety. Furthermore, we will talk about how Paxil works, what the research suggests, contributing factors, and what to do if Paxil does not work for you.
Does Paxil work right away for anxiety?
Paxil does not work right away for anxiety. Patients start feeling improvements in their sleep patterns, appetite, and mood in the early phase of treatment with Paxil. However, Paxil may take up to 6-8 weeks to show its therapeutic benefits for anxiety (1).
Paxil, also known as Paroxetine, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant that is FDA-approved to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and related mental conditions (2).
How does Paxil work for anxiety?
Paxil works for anxiety by blocking the reuptake of a neurotransmitter, serotonin, in the brain cells. Reuptake is a process where serotonin is reabsorbed in the nerve cells. By this mechanism of action, Paxil and other SSRIs such as Celexa, increase the concentration levels of serotonin in the synaptic region, where it remains for a longer period.
The prolonged presence of serotonin increases the neurotransmission between brain cells. Serotonin regulates the mood, sleep, appetite, and the body’s stress response, thereby reducing the symptoms of anxiety (2).
How long does Paxil take to work for anxiety?
Paxil may start working for anxiety within the first week of treatment. Patients may observe improvements in their anxiety symptoms when given 20mg to 50mg of Paxil once daily. These doses of Paxil are found to be effective in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
However, the complete therapeutic effects of Paxil may be shown after 8 weeks of antidepressant treatment. You may observe some mild side effects in the initial phase of Paxil treatment, which may disappear once your body adjusts to the medication (1).
What does research suggest about Paxil and anxiety?
According to a research study on Paxil and anxiety, it was suggested that Paxil is safe and effective in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) who also have an alcohol use disorder. The study also indicated that the presence of alcohol use disorder does not interfere with the effectiveness of Paxil (3).
Another research study indicated that Paxil is safe to use among elderly patients aged between 65 to 75 for anxiety disorders. However, elderly patients may have higher levels of Paxil in their blood and may take more time to eliminate from the system (4).
What factors affect Paxil’s immediate effectiveness for anxiety?
The factors affecting Paxil’s immediate effectiveness for anxiety may include dose, dosage form, and the patient’s gender. These factors affect the metabolism of Paxil in the body. The drug clearance from the body may decrease when the dose of Paxil is increased, and the dosage form affects the distribution of the drug in the bloodstream.
The gender of the patients may also affect the availability of medicine in the body, as females were found to have higher levels of Paxil. Other factors, such as individual sensitivity, underlying medical conditions, or family history, may also impact the immediate effectiveness of Paxil for anxiety (4).
What to do if Paxil is not helping your anxiety?
If you think that Paxil is not helping your symptoms of anxiety, please wait for at least 8 weeks before making any decision about continuing the medicine, as Paxil may take some time to show its complete therapeutic effects. However, the response to the medication may vary among patients based on individual factors.
If your anxiety symptoms persist even after 8 weeks of treatment with Paxil, please reach out to your healthcare provider. They may evaluate your current symptoms and family or medical history, monitoring your response throughout the treatment. Your doctor may adjust the dosage of Paxil to achieve the desired therapeutic response.
Alternative treatments can be considered by your healthcare provider, if your response to Paxil is unsatisfactory or you do not respond at all. Your doctor may discontinue Paxil over a few weeks by tapering down the dose and switching you to alternative treatments for anxiety.
Your doctor may prescribe Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Rivotril, or Ativan if a quick onset of action is required for anxiety. Other medications such as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and GABA modulators can also be prescribed by your doctor (6).
Conclusion
Based on my research analysis, I conclude that Paxil does not work immediately for anxiety, as it may take up to 6 to 8 weeks before showing its complete therapeutic effects. However, the onset of action may depend on individual factors and variations among individuals.
If Paxil does not help with anxiety, do not stop taking it on your own. Always consult your healthcare provider because discontinuing Paxil suddenly may cause withdrawal symptoms.
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References
1.-
Pollack MH, Zaninelli R, Goddard A, McCafferty JP, Bellew KM, Burnham DB, Iyengar MK. Paroxetine in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: results of a placebo-controlled, flexible-dosage trial. J Clin Psychiatry. 2001 May;62(5):350-7. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v62n0508. Erratum in: J Clin Psychiatry 2001 Aug;62(8):658. PMID: 11411817. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11411817/
2.-
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/
3.-
Book SW, Thomas SE, Randall PK, Randall CL. Paroxetine reduces social anxiety in individuals with a co-occurring alcohol use disorder. J Anxiety Disord. 2008;22(2):310-8. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2007.03.001. Epub 2007 Mar 12. PMID: 17448631; PMCID: PMC2254554. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2254554/
4.-
Bourin M. Use of paroxetine for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders in the elderly: a review. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2003 Apr;18(3):185-90. doi: 10.1002/hup.467. PMID: 12672169. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12672169/
5.-
Li XL, Huang SQ, Xiao T, Wang XP, Kong W, Liu SJ, Zhang Z, Yang Y, Huang SS, Ni XJ, Lu HY, Zhang M, Wen YG, Shang DW. Pharmacokinetics of immediate and sustained-release formulations of paroxetine: Population pharmacokinetic approach to guide paroxetine personalized therapy in chinese psychotic patients. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Sep 12;13:966622. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.966622. PMID: 36172189; PMCID: PMC9510632. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36172189/
6.-
Goodman WK. Selecting pharmacotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. 2004;65 Suppl 13:8-13. PMID: 15384931. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15384931/
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