Is it okay to increase Paxil dosage from 20mg to 30mg? (+3)
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 you can increase your Paxil dosage from 20mg to 30mg. We will also discuss what factors to consider when adjusting your Paxil dosage and what to do if you cannot tolerate the higher dose.
Is it okay to increase Paxil dosage from 20mg to 30mg?
It is absolutely okay to increase the Paxil (Paroxetine) dosage from 20mg to 30 mg if your healthcare provider recommends so. Dose escalation should only be done by a healthcare provider and you should never increase either the dose or frequency of drug administration on your own.
Both 20mg and 30mg are considered low doses of Paxil which is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor used in the treatment of anxiety and depression (1).
Paxil treatment starts at 10mg to 20mg. If your body tolerates the initial dose and your symptoms have not improved, your doctor may consider increasing your dosage to 30 mg.
It is important that dose escalation should be done gradually and with close monitoring. The sudden shift in dose can cause disturbing side effects and not everyone can tolerate this.
What factors to consider when increasing Paxil dosage?
The following factors should be considered while increasing the Paxil dosage from 20 mg to 30 mg.
- Patient’s age
- Improvement in symptoms
- Individual sensitivity
- Tolerability at higher doses
- Underlying medical conditions like liver or kidney disease
Your healthcare provider will assess your condition, and current symptoms and decide whether dose escalation is necessary.
When to increase Paxil dosage from 20mg to 30 mg?
The decision to increase your Paxil dose from 20mg to 30 mg should be made by your healthcare provider (2). They will assess your response to Paxil doses. Once you have adopted the 20mg dose with minimal side effects, it is assessed whether your physiological symptoms have improved or not.
If your symptoms do not improve with 20mg, it becomes clear that a higher dose of Paxil is required to increase your quality of life. SSRIs are usually prescribed at lower doses to allow your body to adapt to increased serotonin levels without causing overstimulation.
After consistently taking Paxil at a 20mg dose for 2-4 weeks, your body typically reaches a stable level of serotonin in the brain. If, during this period, you do not notice any substantial improvement in your condition, it might suggest the necessity for a higher dose.
Your healthcare provider will assess and guide you through this potential adjustment. Open communication with them is crucial throughout this process.
What are the side effects of increasing Paxil dose?
An increase in Paxil dose can bring about certain side effects. These side effects are typically temporary and resolve on their own as your body adjusts to the higher dose. Some of the common side effects include (3):
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea/ constipation
- Lightheadedness
- Tiredness
- Sleep disturbances
- Nightmares
- Changes in appetite
- Mood swings
- Heartburn
- Acid reflux
It is important to keep in mind that these side effects can vary from person to person, and not everyone using Paxil is prone to these side effects.
What if you can’t tolerate a higher dose of Paxil?
If you begin to experience unusual side effects once your dose is increased, immediately report them to your healthcare provider. They may reduce the dose by tapering it off over one to two weeks.
If the depression symptoms are not improving and your body is not adjusted to the increased dose, then your doctor may taper it off gradually or switch to an alternative medication.
Always remember, it is not recommended to stop using Paxil abruptly, considering it a way out. Abrupt antidepressant withdrawal can cause horrible symptoms associated with withdrawal syndrome (4).
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the feasibility of increasing Paxil dosage from 20mg to 30mg. However, it should only be done under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
Was this helpful?
References
2.-
How and when to take paroxetinehttps://www.nhs.uk/medicines/paroxetine/how-and-when-to-take-paroxetine/
4.-
Gabriel M, Sharma V. Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. CMAJ. 2017 May 29;189(21):E747. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.160991. PMID: 28554948; PMCID: PMC5449237.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5449237/#:~:text=The%20mnemonic%20FINISH%20summarizes%20the,disturbances%20(%E2%80%9Cburning%2C%E2%80%9D%20%E2%80%9C
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