Best time to take Paxil: A.M or P.M.
Question:
I have suffered from chronic insomnia for thirty years. Am now taking Paxil. One doctor suggested taking it at bedtime, another doctor recommended it in the morning because Paxil may have the effect of keeping you alert physiologically. He said that although Paxil may initially (first 30 minutes) make you drowsy/calm, after several hours it’s effect on the brain is to alert certain centers which may exacerbate insomnia. Any thoughts? Is it purely a personal decision based on trial and error? Comments appreciated. Allen a…@cris.com
Response:
On Thu, 19 Dec 1996 19:31:26 -0500, AJF <A…@cris.com> wrote: >I have suffered from chronic insomnia for thirty years. Am now taking >Paxil. One doctor suggested taking it at bedtime, another doctor >recommended it in the morning because Paxil may have the effect of keeping >you alert physiologically. He said that although Paxil may initially >(first 30 minutes) make you drowsy/calm, after several hours it’s effect >on the brain is to alert certain centers which may exacerbate insomnia. >Any thoughts? Is it purely a personal decision based on trial and error? >Comments appreciated. >Allen >a…@cris.com
I’ve been on Paxil for about 4 years. My doctor let that decision (taking it in the AM or PM) up to me. He initially put ‘every morning’ on the prescription, but later explained to me that there was no difference. In fact, when I was on 40mg, he told me I could take one pill in the AM and one in the PM, if I so desired. Personally, I like taking pills at night. That’s when I take all my other pills. If I’m rushed in the morning, I wind up forgetting to take them. It is important to take Paxil every day. The half-life is much less than Prozac and Zoloft. Many people (including myself) experience hangover-like symptoms during the day the pill is skipped. My doctor also explained that Paxil has more of a calming effect, as opposed to Prozac and Zoloft. Although I never really noticed being significantly calmer shortly after taking my daily dose, I prefer to be calmer when I’m in bed. Thus, I opted for nighttime. Just a note: Last week, I finished weaning myself off Paxil. There are some withdrawal symptoms – nervousness, dizziness, irritability, etc. That lasted for about 3-4 days. (I’m discontinuing the Paxil under my doctor’s supervision, since my recent diagnosis of OSA might mean that my depression was misdiagnosed). Joe Busillo (jbusi…@pclink.com) http://www.webcom.com/busillo
Response:
AJF wrote: > I have suffered from chronic insomnia for thirty years. Am now taking > Paxil. One doctor suggested taking it at bedtime, another doctor > recommended it in the morning because Paxil may have the effect of keeping > you alert physiologically. He said that although Paxil may initially > (first 30 minutes) make you drowsy/calm, after several hours it’s effect > on the brain is to alert certain centers which may exacerbate insomnia. > Any thoughts? Is it purely a personal decision based on trial and error? > Comments appreciated. > Allen > a…@cris.com
Allen: I have taken Paxil for several years and I have always taken it in the AM. However I don’t have insomnia, but I know the manufacturer recommended AM dosage. Bill
Response:
Allen, In my experience, taking Paxil worked best in the morning, but for others this was not the case. It is indeed a "personal decision based on trial and error." AJF <A…@cris.com> wrote in article <Pine.SUN.3.95.961219192537.28278A-100…@mariner.cris.com>… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have suffered from chronic insomnia for thirty years. Am now taking > Paxil. One doctor suggested taking it at bedtime, another doctor > recommended it in the morning because Paxil may have the effect of keeping > you alert physiologically. He said that although Paxil may initially > (first 30 minutes) make you drowsy/calm, after several hours it’s effect > on the brain is to alert certain centers which may exacerbate insomnia. > Any thoughts? Is it purely a personal decision based on trial and error? > Comments appreciated. > Allen > a…@cris.com
Response:
Hi Allen, > One doctor suggested taking it at bedtime, another doctor > recommended it in the morning because Paxil may have the effect of keeping > you alert physiologically. He said that although Paxil may initially > (first 30 minutes) make you drowsy/calm, after several hours it’s effect > on the brain is to alert certain centers which may exacerbate insomnia.
I think it varies with the individual. I found that I feel naturally sleepy about 6 hours after taking a dose. The best time for me is taking my dose with my evening meal. I have been sleeping much better since I started taking Paxil. Wish you well, Jim
