What is Loxamine (Paroxetine HCL) used for?

Loxamine (Paroxetine HCL) is normally used to treat depression and help prevent potential recurrence of the symptoms of depression. Loxamine works by correcting this chemical imbalance and may help relieve the symptoms of depression. Loxamine is also used to treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia), Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

How should I use Loxamine (Paroxetine HCL)?

The recommended adult dose is once daily in the morning with food. The tablet should be swallowed whole with water.

For Depression:
The recommended dose is 20mg daily. Some patients not responding to a 20mg dose may benefit from dose increases, in 10mg/day increments, up to a maximum of 50mg/day. It is recommended that Loxamine is administered once daily with food. Based on observed beneficial effects on sleep it is recommended that the dose be taken in the morning. If, however, a patient experiences unacceptable daytime somnolence with Loxamine, consideration should be given to dosing at bedtime. The tablet should be swallowed rather than chewed. As with all antidepressant drugs, dosage should be reviewed and adjusted if necessary within 2 to 3 weeks of initiation of therapy and thereafter as judged clinically appropriate. Dose changes should occur at intervals of at least one week. Patients with depression should be treated for a sufficient period to ensure that they are free from symptoms. This period may be several months.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder:
The recommended dose is 40mg (2 tablets) daily. Patients should start on 20mg and the dose can be increased weekly in 10mg increments. Some patients will benefit from having their dose increased up to a maximum of 60mg/day. It is recommended that Loxamine is administered once daily with food. Patients with OCD should be treated for a sufficient period to ensure that they are free from symptoms. This period may be several months or even longer.

Panic Disorder:
The recommended dose is 40mg daily. Patients should be started on 10mg/day and the dose increased weekly in 10mg increments according to patient`s response. Some patients may benefit from having their dose increased up to a maximum of 60mg/day. A low initial starting dose is recommended to minimise the potential worsening of panic symptomatology, which is generally recognised to occur early in the treatment of this disorder. Patients with panic disorder should be treated for a sufficient period to ensure that they are free from symptoms. This period may be several months or even longer.

Social Anxiety Disorder / Generalised Anxiety Disorder:
The recommended dose is 20mg daily. Some patients not responding to a 20mg dose may benefit from having dose increases in 10mg increments as required, up to a maximum of 50mg/day according to the patient`s response.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder:
For the majority of patients, the recommended starting and maintenance dose is 20mg daily. However, some patients not responding to a 20mg dose may benefit from having dose increases in 10mg increments as required, up to a maximum of 50mg/day according to the patient's response.

* Loxamine (Paroxetine HCL) is not recommended for use in children or adolescents under 18 years.

Further Information

For further information, please see DATA SHEET.