Many people suffer from anxiety that can interfere with their ability to function from day to day. Doctors often prescribe anti-anxiety drugs, but that might not be a perfect solution. Some medications used to calm anxiety have unpleasant side effects. Others may trigger withdrawal symptoms when people try to discontinue them.
Mixing Anti-Anxiety Drugs with Stimulants:
Q. I was prescribed Paxil and Ritalin for anxiety, depression and adult ADHD. Ever since I started taking them, I sweat profusely at night and do not sleep well.
I told my doctor about this at my last visit and she took me off Ritalin and gave me Strattera. It has been more than a week on the new regimen, but my sweating and insomnia haven’t subsided. Could Paxil be causing these side effects?
Paxil Can Trigger Sweating, Insomnia and Anxiety:
A. Paroxetine (Paxil), like similar antidepressants such as fluoxetine and sertraline, can cause insomnia and sweating. It may also trigger nervousness or exacerbate anxiety. Consequently, the problem might lie with the Paxil.
Don’t stop it on your own, but do get in touch with your doctor immediately! Paxil can increase blood levels of atomoxetine (Strattera) significantly (Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Nov., 2002; Clujul Medical, online Nov. 15, 2015). This could increase the possibility of Strattera side effects such as sweating, sleep problems, fatigue, headache or dry mouth.
For more information on medications and non-drug approaches to depression, we are sending you our Guide to Dealing with Depression. You might also be interested in listening to us discuss some unusual treatments for depression with Elizabeth Ballard, PhD, and Steven Ilardi, MD. We have also discussed integrative approaches to manage ADHD with Sanford Newmark, MD.
