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Paxil and Hypertension | Does Paxil Cause High Blood Pressure
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Blood pressure can be caused due to several reasons. It can be a result of
obesity, hereditary factors, diet or even an inactive lifestyle. Even some medicines can cause high
blood pressure, especially those that are serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). These maintain
levels of serotonin which is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in regulating blood
pressure and in managing blood vessel constriction. Does Paxil Cause High Blood Pressure?One drug that can cause hypertension is Paxil. It is the
brand name for paroxetine which is a selective SSRI. This drug is used for treating mental
health problems like depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder to name a
few. Paxil and other SSRI medications should be taken after 14 days of using
monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressantsbecause their combination can lead to extremely high blood
pressure and other serious problems. Paxil should also not be taken with drugs that increase the serotonin level in
the body because excess levels of serotonin can result in life-threatening complications, such as
the serotonin syndrome. Its symptoms include high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, fever,
hallucinations and vomiting. Paxil should not be taken with the St. John’s wort herb as it increases
serotonin levels in the brain. People with hypertension should be extra careful about the medicines they take
and make sure that other drugs do not react with their blood pressure medications.
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