Who can take paroxetine
Most adults aged 18 and over can take paroxetine.
If you have diabetes, paroxetine can make it more difficult to keep your blood sugar stable. Your doctor may recommend you monitor your blood sugar more often for the first few weeks and adjust your diabetes treatment if necessary.
Who may not be able to take paroxetine
Paroxetine is not suitable for everyone. To make sure it's safe for you, check with your doctor before starting to take paroxetine if you:
- have ever had an allergic reaction to paroxetine or any other medicine
- have a heart problem – paroxetine can make your heart beat faster or cause an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- have ever taken any other medicines for depression – some rarely used antidepressants can affect the way paroxetine works. They can cause very high blood pressure, even when they have been stopped for a few weeks
- are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant or you are breastfeeding
- have glaucoma – paroxetine can increase the pressure in your eye
- have epilepsy or are having electroconvulsive treatment – paroxetine may increase your seizures (fits)