Pexeva vs. Brisdelle

Pexeva (paroxetine mesylate) and Brisdelle (paroxetine) are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants used to treat different conditions.

Pexeva is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Brisdelle is used to treat moderate to severe vasomotor menopausal symptoms (VMS) such as hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause.

Side effects of Pexeva and Brisdelle that are similar include nausea, trouble sleeping (insomnia), weakness/lethargy, headache, and nervousness.

Side effects of Pexeva that are different from Brisdelle include drowsiness, dizziness, loss of appetite, dry mouth, sweating, blurred vision, yawning, restlessness, constipation, weight changes, decreased sex drive, impotence, difficulty having an orgasm, and ringing in your ears.

Side effects of Brisdelle that are different from Pexeva include fatigue, generally feeling unwell (malaise), vomiting, increased dreaming/nightmares, muscle cramps/spasms/twitching, anxiety, and restless feeling in legs.

Both Pexeva and Brisdelle may interact with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), blood thinners, theophylline, cimetidine, tamoxifen, fosamprenavir, ritonavir, and other antidepressants.

Pexeva may also interact with cold or allergy medicines, sedatives, narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, medicine for seizures or anxiety, fentanyl, linezolid, St. John's wort, tramadol, tryptophan, heart medications, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, and “triptans” for migraine.

Brisdelle may also interact with thioridazine, pimozide, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), aspirin, risperidone, atomoxetine, digoxin, and phenytoin.

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop taking Pexeva or Brisdelle.

Common side effects of Pexeva include:

• nausea,
• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• trouble sleeping (insomnia),
• loss of appetite,
• weakness,
• dry mouth,
• sweating,
• blurred vision,
• yawning,
• headache,
• restlessness,
• nervousness,
• constipation,
• weight changes,
• decreased sex drive,
• impotence,
• difficulty having an orgasm, or
• ringing in your ears.

Report any worsening depression or suicidal thoughts you may have while taking Pexeva to your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Pexeva including:

• shakiness (tremor),
• inability to keep still,
• numbness or tingling,
• easy bruising or bleeding,
• fast or irregular heartbeat,
• muscle weakness or spasm, or
• seizures.

Common side effects of Brisdelle include:

• headache,
• fatigue,
• generally feeling unwell (malaise),
• lethargy,
• nausea,
• vomiting.
• increased dreaming/nightmares,
• muscle cramps/spasms/twitching,
• nervousness,
• anxiety,
• restless feeling in legs, or
• trouble sleeping (insomnia)

Brisdelle may cause thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor if this happens while taking Brisdelle.

Pexeva (paroxetine mesylate) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) type of antidepressant used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Brisdelle (paroxetine) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat moderate to severe vasomotor menopausal symptoms (VMS) such as hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause. Brisdelle is not intended to treat any psychiatric condition.

Pexeva may interact with cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, medicine for seizures or anxiety, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), blood thinners, cimetidine, fentanyl, fosamprenavir, linezolid, ritonavir, St. John's wort, tamoxifen, theophylline, tramadol, tryptophan, heart medications, other antidepressants, medicine to treat psychiatric disorders, almotriptan, frovatriptan, sumatriptan, naratripta, rizatriptan, or zolmitriptan. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Pexeva is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm a fetus. Babies born to mothers who have used this drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy may develop withdrawal symptoms such as feeding/breathing difficulties, seizures, muscle stiffness, or constant crying. If you notice symptoms in your newborn, tell the doctor. Since untreated depression can be a serious condition, do not stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor. This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop taking this medication.

Brisdelle may interact with drugs such as:

• thioridazine,
• pimozide,
• tamoxifen,
• other antidepressants,
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs),
• NSAIDs or aspirin,
• risperidone,
• atomoxetine,
• warfarin,
• digoxin,
• theophylline,
• phenytoin,
• fosamprenavir/ritonavir, or
• cimetidine.

Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

The recommended initial dose of Pexeva is 20 mg/day.

The recommended dosage of Brisdelle for the treatment of moderate to severe VMS is 7.5 mg once daily, at bedtime, with or without food.