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← Return to Paxil doesn’t seem to be working.
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Paxil doesn’t seem to be working.
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Oct 17, 2025 | Replies (22)Comment receiving replies
Hi Elle,
10 mg is a very low dose of Paxil. I have been taking Paxil for chronic depression since 2002 and it has worked well. My current dose is 40 mg/day.
If I remember correctly, it can take 4-6 weeks before you feel the effects. I still question the low dose. I think I started with a low dose that was gradually increased over a few weeks.
Also, Paxil can be a hard drug to quit. I tried tapering down to 30 mg, and that was ok. When I went to 20 mg, I just didn't feel very good. I'm back at 40.
There are a lot of options now for anti-depressant medication. Might be good to ask your Dr for more options, unless you've already done that.
All the best. Depression is no fun, but is certainly treatable. Regular exercise helps a lot too.
Joe
Replies to "Hi Elle, 10 mg is a very low dose of Paxil. I have been taking Paxil..."
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@heyjoe415 - Hi, Joe - Thanks so much for your kind and helpful response to my post. It gives me hope that you have had such long-term success with Paxil. I had been on Zoloft for about 25 years, with much success, until it “pooped out” on me during the height of COVID. Since then, I have tried numerous antidepressants and they either don’t work or the side effects are unbearable.
My psychiatrist increased my dose of Paxil
to 20 mg last Tuesday, so I’m praying I eventually have a positive response to it. I think her goal is to get me to 40 mg, but it feels like such a long wait to reach a therapeutic effect. In the meantime, I’m struggling quite a bit with my anxiety and depression,
Thank you, again, for your encouragement, advice, and for sharing your experience with Paxil. I am extremely grateful and wish you continued good mental health.