Aropax 20mg Tablets 30 - Paroxetine

AROPAX - CMI

(SmithKline Beecham)
CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION

What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some of the common questions about Aropax. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take
the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Please read this leaflet before you start taking Aropax. If you are helping someone else take Aropax, please read this leaflet before
you give the first dose.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the possible risks of taking Aropax against the expected benefits.

Keep this leaflet with the medication. You may want to read it again.
What Aropax is used for
The name of your medicine is Aropax; it is also known as paroxetine.

Aropax belongs to a group of medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. They are thought to
work by their action on brain chemicals called amines which are involved in controlling mood.

Depression is longer lasting or more severe than the 'low moods' that everyone has from time to time. It is thought to be caused by
a chemical imbalance in parts of the brain. This imbalance affects your whole body and can cause emotional and physical
symptoms. You may feel low in spirit, lose interest in usual activities, be unable to enjoy life, have poor appetite or over eat, have
disturbed sleep, often waking up early, low energy and feel guilty over nothing. Aropax corrects the chemical imbalance and so
helps relieve the symptoms of depression.

Aropax may also be used to treat irrational fears or obsessional behaviour. These can also be due to chemical imbalance in parts
of the brain.

Aropax may also be used to treat the symptoms of panic attacks. When taken regularly it will help prevent the attacks.

Aropax may also be used to treat patients who may avoid and/or are fearful of social situations.

Your doctor may decide that you should continue to use Aropax for some time, even when you have overcome your problem. This
should prevent the problem from returning.

Your doctor may have prescribed Aropax for another use. Ask your doctor if you have questions about why Aropax has been
prescribed for you.

There is no evidence that Aropax is addictive.
Before taking Aropax
Do not take Aropax if:

you have had an allergic reaction to Aropax or to any of the ingredients listed in the Ingredients section of this leaflet. Signs of
allergic reaction may include itchy skin rash, shortness of breath and swelling of the face or tongue.

you have taken Aropax before and became unwell, tell your doctor or pharmacist before taking the first dose.

you are taking any other medications for the treatment of depression or have done so in the last 2 weeks. Taking Aropax with
another antidepressant may cause a serious reaction. You must not take Aropax until 2 weeks after stopping monoamine oxidase
inhibitor drugs (MAOIs). Examples of MAOIs are phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate). There may be others so
please check with your doctor. Taking Aropax with a MAOI may cause a serious reaction.

the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.

the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering, or the tablets do not look quite right.

There is no specific information available to recommend the use of Aropax in children.

Do not give this medicine to anyone else. Your doctor has prescribed it specifically for you and your condition.

Before you start taking Aropax tell your doctor if:

you have had an allergic reaction to any medicine which you have taken previously to treat your current condition.

you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Your doctor will discuss with you the possible risks and benefits of using
Aropax during pregnancy.

you are breastfeeding, or wish to breastfeed. Your doctor will discuss with you the possible risks and benefits of using Aropax