Paxil and Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy - a phase IV clinical study of FDA data

Summary:

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is reported as a side effect among people who take Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride), especially for people who are female, 60+ old, have been taking the drug for < 1 month also take Flomax, and have Multiple sclerosis.

The phase IV clinical study analyzes which people have Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy when taking Paxil. It is created by eHealthMe based on reports of 88,676 people who have side effects when taking Paxil from the FDA, and is updated regularly.

What is Paxil?

Paxil has active ingredients of paroxetine hydrochloride. It is often used in depression. eHealthMe is studying from 92,546 Paxil users. Check the latest studies of Paxil.

What is Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy?

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (rapidly progressive neuromuscular disease caused by opportunistic infection of brain cells) is found to be associated with 593 drugs and 921 conditions by eHealthMe. Check the latest studies of Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

On Jul, 20, 2026

88,676 people reported to have side effects when taking Paxil.
Among them, 20 people (0.02%) have Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

Could Paxil cause Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy?

Among these 20 people:

How long have people been on Paxil when they have Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy? *

What is the gender of people who have Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy when taking Paxil? *

female: 61.11 %
male: 38.89 %

What is the age of people who have Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy when taking Paxil? *

What are other drugs people take besides Paxil? *

What are other side effects people have besides Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy? *

Urinary Tract Infection: 9 people, 45.00%
Fall: 9 people, 45.00%
Multiple Sclerosis Relapse (reoccurrence of a nervous system disease that affects your brain and spinal cord. it damages the myelin sheath): 8 people, 40.00%
Bladder Dysfunction: 7 people, 35.00%
Pneumonia Aspiration (bronchopneumonia that develops due to the entrance of foreign materials into the bronchial tree): 5 people, 25.00%
Respiratory Acidosis (respiratory failure or ventilatory failure, causes the ph of blood and other bodily fluids to decrease): 4 people, 20.00%
Weakness: 2 people, 10.00%
Gait Disturbance: 2 people, 10.00%
Dizziness: 2 people, 10.00%
Pneumonia Staphylococcal (pneumonia staphylococcal infections are usually caused by the organism staphylococcus aureus): 2 people, 10.00%

What are the existing conditions these people have? *

Multiple Sclerosis (a nervous system disease that affects your brain and spinal cord. it damages the myelin sheath): 9 people, 45.00%
Sleep Disorder: 8 people, 40.00%
Muscle Spasticity (tight or stiff muscles and an inability to control those muscles): 8 people, 40.00%
Cystitis Interstitial (unknown cause characterized by bladder pain): 8 people, 40.00%
Migraine (headache): 8 people, 40.00%
Fibromyalgia (a long-term condition which causes pain all over the body): 8 people, 40.00%
Neurogenic Bladder (the normal function of the bladder is to store and empty urine in a coordinated, controlled fashion): 8 people, 40.00%
Pain: 8 people, 40.00%
Restless Leg Syndrome (a powerful urge to move your legs): 8 people, 40.00%
High Blood Pressure: 3 people, 15.00%

* Approximation only. Some reports may have incomplete information.

Do you take Paxil and have Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy?

- Check whether Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is associated with a drug or a condition
- Predict drug outcomes for up to one year with AI
- Get an AI agent to monitor your drugs continuously

Related studies:

Effectiveness of, long term effects of, and alternative drugs to Paxil:

Paxil (92,546 reports)

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy treatments and more:

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (13,731 reports)

How severe was Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and when was it recovered:

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in Paxil

Expand to all the drugs that have ingredients of paroxetine hydrochloride:

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and drugs with ingredients of paroxetine hydrochloride

Sub-studies by gender and age:

Female: 0-1 2-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+

Male: 0-1 2-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+

Browse all side effects of Paxil:

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Browse all the drugs that are associated with Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy:

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (593 drugs)

Browse all the conditions that are associated with Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy:

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (921 conditions)

Related publications that referenced our studies

Coskun M, Adak I, Akaltun I, "Bilateral gynecomastia in a preadolescent boy while under treatment with methylphenidate and paroxetine", Journal of clinical psychopharmacology, 2014 Aug .
Coskun M, Adak I, Akaltun I, "Bilateral gynecomastia in a preadolescent boy while under treatment with methylphenidate and paroxetine", Journal of clinical psychopharmacology, 2014 Aug .

How the study uses the data?

The study uses data from the FDA. It is based on paroxetine hydrochloride (the active ingredients of Paxil) and Paxil (the brand name). Other drugs that have the same active ingredients (e.g. generic drugs) are not considered. Dosage of drugs is not considered in the study.

How to use the study?

DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting your doctor. If there are any serious or long term adverse effects discovered in the study, discuss the study with your doctor to ensure that proper medication management will be in place if applicable.

Who is eHealthMe?

With medical big data and proven AI/ML algorithms, eHealthMe provides a platform for everyone to run phase IV clinical trials. We study millions of patients and 5,000 more each day. Results of our real-world drug study have been referenced on 800+ peer-reviewed medical publications, including The Lancet, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, and Nature. Our analysis results are available to researchers, health care professionals, patients (testimonials), and software developers (open API).

WARNING, DISCLAIMER, USE FOR PUBLICATION

WARNING: Please DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting a physician since doing so could be hazardous to your health.

DISCLAIMER: All material available on eHealthMe.com is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. All information is observation-only. Our phase IV clinical studies alone cannot establish cause-effect relationship. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. The use of the eHealthMe site and its content is at your own risk.

If you use this eHealthMe study on publication, please acknowledge it with a citation: study title, URL, accessed date.