Paroxetine Hydrochloride

PAROXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE- paroxetine hydrochloride hemihydrate tablet, film coated
Bryant Ranch Prepack

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1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Paroxetine is indicated in adults for the treatment of:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD)
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic disorder (PD)
  
• Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
  
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
  
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Administration Information

Administer paroxetine tablets, USP as a single daily dose in the morning, with or without food.

2.2 Recommended Dosage for MDD, OCD, PD, and PTSD

The recommended starting dosages and maximum dosages of paroxetine in patients with MDD, OCD, PD, and PTSD are presented in Table 1.

In patients with an inadequate response, increase dosage in increments of 10 mg per day at intervals of at least 1 week, depending on tolerability.

Table 1: Recommended Daily Dosage of Paroxetine in Patients with MDD, OCD, PD, and PTSD

Indication	Starting Dose	Maximum Dose
MDD	20 mg	50 mg
OCD	20 mg	60 mg
PD	10 mg	60 mg
PTSD	20 mg	50 mg

2.3 Recommended Dosage for SAD and GAD

SAD
The starting and recommended dosage in patients with SAD is 20 mg daily. In clinical trials the effectiveness of paroxetine was demonstrated in patients dosed in a range of 20 mg to 60 mg daily. While the safety of paroxetine has been evaluated in patients with SAD at doses up to 60 mg daily, available information does not suggest any additional benefit for doses above 20 mg daily [see Clinical Studies (14.4)].

GAD
The starting and recommended dosage in patients with GAD is 20 mg daily. In clinical trials the effectiveness of paroxetine in GAD was demonstrated in patients dosed in a range of 20 mg to 50 mg daily. There is not sufficient evidence to suggest a greater benefit to doses higher than 20 mg daily [see Clinical Studies (14.5)].

In patients with an inadequate response, increase dosage in increments of 10 mg per day at intervals of at least 1 week, depending on tolerability.

2.4 Screen for Bipolar Disorder Prior to Starting Paroxetine

Prior to initiating treatment with paroxetine or another antidepressant, screen patients for a personal or family history of bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].

2.5 Recommended Dosage for Elderly Patients, Patients with Severe Renal Impairment, and Patients with Severe Hepatic Impairment

The recommended initial dosage is 10 mg per day for elderly patients, patients with severe renal impairment, and patients with severe hepatic impairment. Dosage should not exceed 40 mg/day.

2.6 Switching Patients to or From a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI)

At least 14 days must elapse between discontinuation of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) and initiation of paroxetine. In addition, at least 14 days must elapse after stopping paroxetine before starting an MAOI antidepressant [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

2.7 Discontinuation of Treatment With Paroxetine

Adverse reactions may occur upon discontinuation of paroxetine [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)]. Gradually reduce the dosage rather than stopping paroxetine abruptly whenever possible.

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Paroxetine tablets, USP are available as:

• 10 mg orange, modified capsule shape, film-coated scored tablets debossed with “671” on one side and “O” on the other side with bisect.
• 20 mg yellow, modified capsule shape, film-coated scored tablets debossed with “672” on one side and “O” on the other side with bisect.
• 30 mg white to off-white, modified capsule shape, film-coated tablets debossed with “673” on one side and “O” on the other.
  
• 40 mg blue, modified capsule shape, film-coated tablets debossed with “674” on one side and “O” on the other.
  

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

Paroxetine is contraindicated in patients:

• Taking, or within 14 days of stopping, MAOIs (including the MAOIs linezolid and intravenous methylene blue) because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2), Drug Interactions ( 7)].
• Taking thioridazine because of risk of QT prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Drug Interactions (7)].
• T aking pimozide because of risk of QT prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3), Drug Interactions (7)].
  
• With known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioedema, Stevens-Johnson syndrome) to paroxetine or any of the inactive ingredients in paroxetine tablets, USP [see Adverse Reactions (6.1), (6.2)].

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Adolescents and Young Adults

In pooled analyses of placebo-controlled trials of antidepressant drugs (SSRIs and other antidepressant classes) that included approximately 77,000 adult patients and 4,500 pediatric patients, the incidence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in antidepressant-treated patients age 24 years and younger was greater than in placebo-treated patients. There was considerable variation in risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among drugs, but there was an increased risk identified in young patients for most drugs studied. There were differences in absolute risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors across the different indications, with the highest incidence in patients with MDD. The drug-placebo differences in the number of cases of suicidal thoughts and behaviors per 1000 patients treated are provided in Table 2.

Table 2. Risk Differences of the Number of Patients with Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in the Pooled Placebo-Controlled Trials of Antidepressants in Pediatric and Adult Patients

Age Range	Drug-Placebo Difference in Number of Patients with Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors per 1,000 Patients Treated
	Increases Compared to Placebo
< 18 years old	14 additional patients
18 to 24 years old	5 additional patients
	Decreases Compared to Placebo
25 to 64 years old	1 fewer patient
≥ 65 years old	6 fewer patients

Paroxetine is not approved for use in pediatric patients.

It is unknown whether the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults extends to longer-term use, i.e., beyond four months. However, there is substantial evidence from placebo-controlled maintenance trials in adults with MDD that antidepressants delay the recurrence of depression and that depression itself is a risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for any indication for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially during the initial few months of drug therapy, and at times of dosage changes. Counsel family members or caregivers of patients to monitor for changes in behavior and to alert the healthcare provider. Consider changing the therapeutic regimen, including possibly discontinuing paroxetine, in patients whose depression is persistently worse, or who are experiencing emergent suicidal thoughts or behaviors.