Paxil is a popular antidepressant medication, often used to treat generalized anxiety and other anxiety disorders. Available in the U.S. since 1992, Paxil was initially prescribed to solely treat depression, but its uses have expanded over the years. Some women even take the drug to relieve symptoms of menopause like hot flashes.1 Though commonly prescribed, many experts warn users to take caution before adding Paxil to their regimen.The drug comes with risks ranging from mild side effects like dry mouth to a more serious risk of breast cancer.2 Let’s explore how Paxil works to ease anxiety, common side effects, and how the drug compares to non-prescription medications like Brillia.
What Is Paxil?
Paroxetine, sold under the brand names Paxil, Pexeva, and Brisdelle, is a prescription drug known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI. It is similar to antidepressant medications like Lexapro and Prozac and is prescribed to treat depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) .
How Paxil Works to Help With Anxiety
Like other SSRIs, Paxil works by preventing brain cells from quickly absorbing serotonin, making more of the “feel-good” chemical available. This process promotes a more stable mood, but it does come with several side effects.
The most common side effects of Paxil include:3
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Increased sweating
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Changes in sex drive or ability
Paxil should not be taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and there is an increased risk of developing serotonin syndrome if taken with other drugs that increase serotonin in the brain, such as other antidepressants. Young adults taking Paxil should be monitored for suicidal ideation or self-harm as this drug may contribute to these kinds of thoughts.
The Brillia Story
Unlike SSRIs like Paxil, which consist of synthetic chemicals that alter the concentration of serotonin in the brain, Brillia is a homeopathic medication that takes another route to reducing anxiety. In lieu of synthetic chemicals, Brillia’s active ingredient consists of antibodies to the brain-specific S100B protein, which plays a crucial role in mood regulation. Without altering this protein’s concentration or causing any changes to blood chemistry, Brillia gently and efficiently reduces anxiety, irritability, and restlessness without causing any harmful side effects. Uniquely, Brillia works in tandem with healthy lifestyle factors known as the 5 Pillars, which emphasize proper nutrition, adequate sleep, controlled screen time, and mindfulness practices. This holistic approach sets users up for long-term success in reducing stress and anxiety in their lives.
How Brillia Works to Ease Anxiety Symptoms
Brillia uses a safe and targeted approach to reducing anxiety, starting at the source of anxious feelings. Several studies show that anxiety and depression stem from an imbalance of the S100B protein.4 When we become anxious, this protein binds to a target in the brain to instigate undesirable symptoms like restlessness, irritability, and low mood. Brillia reduces these symptoms by efficiently targeting and attaching to the S100B protein and changes its shape so it cannot bind to its target. This process is so specific that it will not affect other systems in the body or negatively interact with other medications or supplements. Brillia will not cause any undesirable side effects associated with antidepressant drugs nor will it mask the personality. It does not cause drowsiness, lethargy, or depression, and it does not affect appetite, so you will not experience weight loss or weight gain. There is no “coming off” of Brillia should you decide to stop the medication and it does not alter blood chemistry. Brillia has no contraindications with any other supplements or medications, so you can add it to the regimen without worry. The success of Brillia is supported by the healthy lifestyle changes highlighted in the 5 Pillars, allowing users to pursue whole-body health from multiple angles.
How Brillia Compares to Paxil
Unlike Paxil, which requires an official diagnosis and prescription, Brillia is a non-prescription medication that requires no official diagnosis. While Paxil is only approved for use in adults, Brillia can be safely taken by children as young as five as well as adults. Unlike SSRIs, Brillia is not a habit-forming medication and it will not make users fatigued. SSRIs are also associated with weight gain and weight loss, but Brillia has no such side effect. While Paxil is associated with troubling withdrawal symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, headache, and flu-like symptoms, Brillia is safe to stop at any time should you ever decide to take a break.5
Brillia vs. Paxil Dosage
Paxil is commonly prescribed at 20 mg to start for adults with anxiety.6 Doctors may adjust this dosage depending on the patient’s needs. If patients choose to stop taking this medication, they are recommended to taper off slowly with their doctor’s approval so they do not experience harmful withdrawal symptoms.
Dosing for Brillia depends on the severity of the patient’s symptoms: moderate or severe. The medication needs time to build up in the system, so users should wait two to three weeks to see desired results. Because there are no contraindications with other medications or supplements, Brillia can be added to your regimen without worry even if you are already taking medication for your anxiety. Some users even decide to switch over to Brillia to avoid the negative side effects of prescription drugs, but it is recommended that they ask their doctor before stopping any medication.
How to Add Brillia to Your Regimen
Brillia can be started and stopped at any time no matter what medications or supplements you are currently taking. While some
individuals turn to Brillia instead of increasing their dosage of the medications they are taking, it’s important to note that Brillia will not resolve the side effects from being on prescription pharmaceuticals. However, this is one way to add Brillia to your regimen if you are not ready to come off your current medications.
Because Brillia is a gentle and cumulative product, many users notice results after the first two to three weeks of starting Brillia, though it may take longer. If you have discussed coming off your current medications with your doctor, we suggest using Brillia in combination with your current prescription medications for at least three to four weeks to allow Brillia to build up in the system. It’s crucial at this time to be consistent and patient, integrating the healthy lifestyle factors outlined in the 5 Pillars, and giving Brillia a full three months to see results.
Learn more about how Brillia works and explore our blog for resources on how to reduce anxiety.
References: 1https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmp1402080, 2https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10853633/, 3https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Treatments/Mental-Health-Medications/Types-of-Medication/Paroxetine-(Paxil), 4https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23972702/, 5https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10855379/, 6https://www.drugs.com/dosage/paxil.html
