[hi-yah]

I've been on 40mg of Paxil for a about 4 months, and recently I started to get migraines. They seem to be increasing in frequency as well. I think it has to do with missed doses (which happens rarely) and possibly variations in the time the pills are taken. I take one 20mg pill in the morning and one at night. I'm not sure that the paxil is the culprit since I am on buproprion (Welbutrin) and Lithium as well. But it seems like maybe paxil is the cause. I've never had migraines before now.

[LonesomeTonight]

Paxil has a short half-life, meaning it doesn't stay in the body as long as some other SSRIs. So the migraines could be the effect of missing doses or too much variation in time, etc. I've read that serotonin is thought to be involved in migraines, so it makes sense that SSRIs could help or cause them. I had fewer migraines when I was on Zoloft and occasional ones on Paxil and now Cymbalta.
Definitely check with your doctor.

[*Laurie*]

I have found that ssri's and migraines are definitely linked, at least for me. Missing a dose...yeah...that would really make a headache worse for me.

[Bluesday]

I got a prescription for Paxil last month and posts like these make scared to take it!

[MovingOnUpAgain]

Originally Posted by hi-yah

I've been on 40mg of Paxil for a about 4 months, and recently I started to get migraines. They seem to be increasing in frequency as well. I think it has to do with missed doses (which happens rarely) and possibly variations in the time the pills are taken. I take one 20mg pill in the morning and one at night. I'm not sure that the paxil is the culprit since I am on buproprion (Welbutrin) and Lithium as well. But it seems like maybe paxil is the cause. I've never had migraines before now.

my headaches get triggered very easily when missing a dose of my medication. I ended up tappering off Paxil, which was to help my anxiety, however I felt more like a zombie after awhile. Have not tried Welbrutrin but maybe that is enough...just do not go cold turkey on Paxil. The neurologist suggested I try a very old drug called Elavil, to help me sleep and thereby I would feel better and have less anxiety?!?? I did sleep much deeper and did feel better, but eventually did taper off that too.

Good luck finding your headache trigger!

[Mrs. Mania]

I've taken paxil for over 20 years and still love it. I do get headaches if I miss more than one dose. Also, when coming off it- taper,taper,taper! It's been the worst withdrawal of any meds when I had to go off when I lost my insurance.

As for Elavil, I took it many years ago. Although it worked, I had to stop it. It's a very old drug and I believe it's in the same class as Elavil.