Women's Menopause Health Center September 5, 2003 Newsletter.

Paxil for Menopause Hot Flashes.

With hormone replacement therapy on the "B List" of medications to treat menopause symptoms, antidepressant drug medications have pushed to the surface.

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A study published this summer in the Journal of the American Medical Association, showed that menopause hot flashes decreased when treated with the antidepressant Paxil CR. In other studies, the antidepressants Effexor and Prozac have also shown to reduce hot flashes.

Although the antidepressant Paxil reduces the severity and frequency of menopause hot flashes, Paxil side effects can be life-threatening. Taking Paxil for menopause hot flashes instead of hormone replacement therapy is somewhat akin to "jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire."

When looking for relief of menopause hot flashes, carefully research information on Paxil side effects before choosing the antidepressant for menopause hot flashes. There are healthful and natural ways of treating hot flashes and other menopause symptoms without taking Paxil.

Paxil belongs to the family of medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Paxil is approved by the FDA to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder and social anxiety disorder.

Many people believe that if a drug is FDA approved, it is safe and effective yet this is not true - as we saw with FDA-approved hormone replacement therapy. This is also not true with Paxil, as Paxil side effects can pose significant health risks.

It is generally recognized that SSRIs - Paxil included - can cause a condition called akathisia (severe inner restlessness). Akathisia may be associated with restlessness, depression, anxiety, irritability, aggression, or suicide attempts. There are numerous reports of suicides occurring with people trying to withdraw from Paxil. People being treated with Paxil have also become violent.

A Wyoming jury awarded relatives $8 million in damages after finding that Paxil caused a man to kill three members of his family and then himself. The suit alleged that Paxil manufacturer Glaxo Smithkline Corporation misled the public and medical profession about the likelihood of violence and suicide.

There is currently a class action lawsuit against the Paxil manufacturer, alleging that Glaxo SmithKline concealed information about the severe withdrawal reactions of its drug Paxil.

While the medical community acknowledges the potential for all SSRIs to cause dependency/ withdrawal syndrome, Paxil is by far the worst. Studies show that up to 85% of people taking the antidepressant Paxil have withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking Paxil. According to World Health Organization data, Paxil has the highest incidence rate of withdrawal adverse experiences of any antidepressant in the world.

Paxil Side Effects:

• Severe mood swings.
•  Irritability, agitation.
•  Aggression.
•  Insomnia.
•  Confusion.
•  Memory and concentration problems.
•  Panic attacks.
•  Suicidal thoughts.
•  Dizziness.
• Crying spells.
•  Coordination problems.
•  Electric shock feelings throughout your body.
•  Unsteady gait.
•  Slurred speech.
•  Blurred vision.
•  Profuse sweating.
•  Nausea, vomiting.
•  High fever.
•  Lethargy, malaise, weakness, and general fatigue.
•  Flu symptoms.
•  Headaches.
•  Hypersensitivity to motion, sounds, smells.
•  Abdominal cramping.
•  Chills/hot flashes.
•  Nightmares.
•  Tremors.
•  Fainting.
•  Heart palpitations and chest pain.
•  Grinding teeth.
•  Sexual problems.

Hot flashes are the most common complaint of menopause and the most common reason women use hormone replacement therapy. Hot flashes traditionally have been treated with estrogen and progestin hormone supplements. The widely publicized Women's Health Initiative study linking hormone replacement therapy with the increased risk of heart disease, breast cancer, stroke, dementia and Alzheimer's disease sent tens of thousands of women in search of an alternative treatment for hot flashes and other menopause symptoms.
 

Menopause Recipe: Brain Shake.

TLC Bath & Body Recipe: Basic Bath Salts.

Exercise Tip: Burn Those Calories!

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