PAROXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE

82/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Apotex Corp

Paroxetine Hydrochloride Adverse Events Show High Seriousness and Diverse Reactions

192,057 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About PAROXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE

PAROXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Apotex Corp. Based on analysis of 192,057 FDA adverse event reports, PAROXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE has a safety score of 82 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for PAROXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE include DRUG WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME, DRUG INEFFECTIVE, NAUSEA, DIZZINESS, ANXIETY. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for PAROXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE.

AI Safety Analysis

Paroxetine Hydrochloride has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 192,057 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Apotex Corp.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Drug Withdrawal Syndrome, Drug Ineffective, Nausea. Of classified reports, 68.5% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Serious adverse events such as suicidal ideation and death are common, with a serious event rate of 68.5%.

A wide range of reactions are reported, including neurological, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular issues. The drug is frequently associated with drug withdrawal syndrome and drug ineffectiveness. There is a notable presence of psychiatric and neurological adverse events, including anxiety, depression, and agitation. The drug is also linked to various physical symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and fatigue.

Patients taking Paroxetine Hydrochloride should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Paroxetine Hydrochloride can cause drug withdrawal syndrome and drug ineffectiveness. It is important to monitor patients for signs of suicidal ideation and to manage potential drug interactions, especially with other psychiatric medications. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 82/100

Paroxetine Hydrochloride received a safety concern score of 82/100 (high concern). This is based on a 68.5% serious event ratio across 88,783 classified reports. The score accounts for 192,057 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

DRUG WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME6,193 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE6,065 reports
NAUSEA6,000 reports
DIZZINESS5,363 reports
ANXIETY5,340 reports
FATIGUE5,287 reports
HEADACHE4,693 reports
DEPRESSION4,258 reports
DIARRHOEA3,806 reports
INSOMNIA3,785 reports
VOMITING3,215 reports
SUICIDAL IDEATION3,196 reports
DRUG EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY3,192 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED3,110 reports
PAIN3,082 reports
TREMOR3,056 reports
ASTHENIA3,028 reports
DYSPNOEA2,976 reports
FALL2,828 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE2,822 reports
SOMNOLENCE2,751 reports
DRUG INTERACTION2,708 reports
PARAESTHESIA2,689 reports
FOETAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY2,647 reports
HYPERHIDROSIS2,478 reports
OFF LABEL USE2,389 reports
MALAISE2,352 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL2,331 reports
AGITATION2,215 reports
ARTHRALGIA2,019 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS2,013 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED1,950 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED1,849 reports
SUICIDE ATTEMPT1,812 reports
PYREXIA1,784 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT1,754 reports
HYPERTENSION1,753 reports
DEATH1,743 reports
COMPLETED SUICIDE1,731 reports
RASH1,700 reports
AGGRESSION1,667 reports
DECREASED APPETITE1,567 reports
DRUG ABUSE1,551 reports
PRURITUS1,550 reports
PNEUMONIA1,539 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN1,521 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY1,506 reports
OVERDOSE1,485 reports
CHEST PAIN1,465 reports
DISTURBANCE IN ATTENTION1,458 reports
SEROTONIN SYNDROME1,403 reports
IRRITABILITY1,401 reports
CONSTIPATION1,387 reports
BACK PAIN1,345 reports
SLEEP DISORDER1,320 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA1,303 reports
ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECT1,302 reports
HYPOTENSION1,296 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE1,280 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS1,250 reports
PANIC ATTACK1,233 reports
NIGHTMARE1,224 reports
CONGENITAL ANOMALY1,194 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER1,179 reports
PALPITATIONS1,164 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS1,138 reports
DIABETES MELLITUS1,132 reports
VISION BLURRED1,115 reports
VERTIGO1,104 reports
COUGH1,102 reports
WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME1,102 reports
NERVOUSNESS1,083 reports
ANAEMIA1,077 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY1,065 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY1,050 reports
MYALGIA1,036 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION1,021 reports
RENAL FAILURE985 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED983 reports
HYPONATRAEMIA983 reports
HALLUCINATION978 reports
MIGRAINE960 reports
DRUG DEPENDENCE949 reports
AMNESIA940 reports
ANGER940 reports
CRYING923 reports
BALANCE DISORDER904 reports
INTENTIONAL OVERDOSE898 reports
LETHARGY884 reports
TACHYCARDIA880 reports
DEHYDRATION872 reports
VENTRICULAR SEPTAL DEFECT857 reports
ADVERSE EVENT852 reports
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION838 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL835 reports
CHILLS834 reports
CONVULSION811 reports
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT800 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT788 reports
CARDIAC MURMUR785 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Suicidal ideation and death are key safety signals, with a significant number of serious reports.
  • Drug withdrawal syndrome and ineffectiveness are frequent reported issues.
  • Neurological and psychiatric adverse events are common, including anxiety, depression, and agitation.
  • Physical symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and fatigue are also frequently reported.
  • Drug interactions and pregnancy exposure are important safety concerns.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 54,054, Male: 27,892, Unknown: 222. The most frequently reported age groups are age 53 (1,125 reports), age 57 (1,111 reports), age 54 (1,100 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 88,783 classified reports for PAROXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE:

  • Serious: 60,827 reports (68.5%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 27,956 reports (31.5%)
Serious 68.5%Non-Serious 31.5%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female54,054 (65.8%)
Male27,892 (33.9%)
Unknown222 (0.3%)

Reports by Age

Age 531,125 reports
Age 571,111 reports
Age 541,100 reports
Age 601,096 reports
Age 591,090 reports
Age 631,069 reports
Age 621,067 reports
Age 511,040 reports
Age 581,040 reports
Age 651,037 reports
Age 521,035 reports
Age 491,034 reports
Age 551,026 reports
Age 641,026 reports
Age 561,009 reports
Age 501,008 reports
Age 68994 reports
Age 61942 reports
Age 66942 reports
Age 48932 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Paroxetine Hydrochloride can cause drug withdrawal syndrome and drug ineffectiveness. It is important to monitor patients for signs of suicidal ideation and to manage potential drug interactions, especially with other psychiatric medications.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Paroxetine Hydrochloride, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include drug withdrawal syndrome, drug ineffective, nausea, dizziness, anxiety. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Patients should inform their healthcare provider about any existing conditions or medications to avoid potential drug interactions. Regular monitoring and follow-up are crucial to manage the side effects and ensure the drug's effectiveness. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA continues to monitor Paroxetine Hydrochloride for safety, particularly regarding serious adverse events and drug interactions. Healthcare providers should be vigilant in managing patient care and reporting adverse events.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Paroxetine Hydrochloride?

The FDA has received approximately 192,057 adverse event reports associated with Paroxetine Hydrochloride. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Paroxetine Hydrochloride?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Paroxetine Hydrochloride include Drug Withdrawal Syndrome, Drug Ineffective, Nausea, Dizziness, Anxiety. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Drug Withdrawal Syndrome (6,193 reports), Drug Ineffective (6,065 reports), Nausea (6,000 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Paroxetine Hydrochloride.

What percentage of Paroxetine Hydrochloride adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 88,783 classified reports, 60,827 (68.5%) were classified as serious and 27,956 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Paroxetine Hydrochloride (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Paroxetine Hydrochloride break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 54,054, Male: 27,892, Unknown: 222. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Paroxetine Hydrochloride?

The most frequently reported age groups for Paroxetine Hydrochloride adverse events are: age 53: 1,125 reports, age 57: 1,111 reports, age 54: 1,100 reports, age 60: 1,096 reports, age 59: 1,090 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Paroxetine Hydrochloride?

The primary manufacturer associated with Paroxetine Hydrochloride adverse event reports is Apotex Corp. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Paroxetine Hydrochloride?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Paroxetine Hydrochloride include: Fatigue, Headache, Depression, Diarrhoea, Insomnia. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Paroxetine Hydrochloride?

You can report adverse events from Paroxetine Hydrochloride to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Paroxetine Hydrochloride's safety score and what does it mean?

Paroxetine Hydrochloride has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Serious adverse events such as suicidal ideation and death are common, with a serious event rate of 68.5%.

What are the key safety signals for Paroxetine Hydrochloride?

Key safety signals identified in Paroxetine Hydrochloride's adverse event data include: Suicidal ideation and death are key safety signals, with a significant number of serious reports.. Drug withdrawal syndrome and ineffectiveness are frequent reported issues.. Neurological and psychiatric adverse events are common, including anxiety, depression, and agitation.. Physical symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and fatigue are also frequently reported.. Drug interactions and pregnancy exposure are important safety concerns.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Paroxetine Hydrochloride interact with other drugs?

Paroxetine Hydrochloride can cause drug withdrawal syndrome and drug ineffectiveness. It is important to monitor patients for signs of suicidal ideation and to manage potential drug interactions, especially with other psychiatric medications. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Paroxetine Hydrochloride.

What should patients know before taking Paroxetine Hydrochloride?

Patients should inform their healthcare provider about any existing conditions or medications to avoid potential drug interactions. Regular monitoring and follow-up are crucial to manage the side effects and ensure the drug's effectiveness.

Are Paroxetine Hydrochloride side effects well-documented?

Paroxetine Hydrochloride has 192,057 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. A wide range of reactions are reported, including neurological, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular issues. The volume of reports for Paroxetine Hydrochloride reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Paroxetine Hydrochloride?

The FDA continues to monitor Paroxetine Hydrochloride for safety, particularly regarding serious adverse events and drug interactions. Healthcare providers should be vigilant in managing patient care and reporting adverse events. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to PAROXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

SertralineFluoxetineEscitalopramCitalopramFluvoxamine
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.