Posted by Sunnely on January 20, 2001, at 18:53:57
In reply to Paxil and Memory, posted by Jen B on January 19, 2001, at 11:37:08
Hi Jen B,
Could be one of the following:
1. Looking at the side of the medication:
Paroxetine (Paxil), although classified as one of the SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) is actually not a pure SSRI. It also has a cholinergic (specifically muscarinic or M1) receptor blocking effect. This is a dose-related phenomenon i.e., more noticeable in higher doses. Impairment of short-term memory (learning new task) is one of the anticholinergic effects. The drug may affect one's attention and concentration, leading to failure in registration and retrieval, processes involved in storing and recalling data in one's memory bank (brain). Other anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation.
2. Looking at the side of the disease:
Depression per se can also affect one's attention, concentration, storage, and retrieval of memorized data.
You did not mention how much Paxil you are taking and whether you are also taking other meds. Several OTC (over-the-counter) drugs for sleep, hay fever, and colds contain significant amount of anticholinergic/antihistamine contents which can affect one's short-term memory.
Lowering the dose of Paxil, if possible, may alleviate the problem. FYI, Paxil has a "nonlinear" type of metabolism. Increasing the dose a certain amount does not increase its blood level proportionally but multiple folds. Paxil also inhibits its own metabolism ("auto-inhibition"), and in the long-term, may lead to an unwanted increase in blood level and increase in side effects. If you are taking other meds, you should be aware that Paxil can also markedly interfere with the metabolism of the other drugs, raising their blood levels and increase in side effects.
Just like you, I highly doubt this is an effect of aging, as you said, not with such a pronounced onset. On a related note, almost all of the cognitive or memory-enhancer drugs currently available or undergoing clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease boost the effect of cholinergic activity.
==================================================> I've been on Paxil for about 10 months for anxiety and depression. In general, I have responded to it very well. But I have been having some issues with memory. I used to have quite a good memory, but I now find it difficult to recall many things, even confusing waking memory and dreams occassionally. At times, my thinking feels downright "fuzzy."
>
> Some have suggested to me that this is a component of aging. I'm 37, and I'm not convinced that I would be experiencing this sort of thing already, or with such a pronounced onset.
>
> Has anyone experienced memory problems with Paxil?
poster:Sunnely
thread:52018
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010111/msgs/52104.html