Inspired by the discussion on this thread, I decided to look up information on a drug and can't believe what I found. I chose Paxil and the following info I found at this
Website:
Paxil
Pronounced: PACKS-ill
Generic name: Paroxetine hydrochloride
First we'll look at what it is used for, paying close attention to the bolded items.
Why is this drug prescribed?
Paxil relieves a variety of emotional problems. It can be prescribed for serious, continuing depression that interferes with your ability to function. Symptoms of this type of depression often include
changes in appetite and sleep patterns, a persistent low mood, loss of interest in people and activities,
decreased sex drive, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, suicidal thoughts, difficulty concentrating, and slowed thinking.
Paxil is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a disease marked by unwanted, but stubbornly persistent thoughts, or unreasonable rituals you feel compelled to repeat.
In addition, Paxil is prescribed for panic disorder, a crippling emotional problem characterized by sudden attacks of at least four of the following symptoms: palpitations,
sweating, shaking, numbness, chills or hot flashes, shortness of breath, a feeling of choking, chest pain,
nausea or abdominal distress,
dizziness or faintness, feelings of unreality or detachment, fear of losing control, or fear of dying.
Paxil can be prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder, a disease marked by excessive anxiety and worry that persists for at least 6 months and can't be easily controlled. True cases of generalized anxiety disorder are accompanied by at least three of the following symptoms: restlessness or a keyed-up or on-edge feeling,
a tendency to tire easily, difficulty concentrating or spells when the mind goes blank, irritability, muscle tension, or sleep disturbance.
Paxil can be used in the treatment of social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia), a condition marked by shyness or stage fright so intense that it interferes with an individual's work and social life.
Paxil is also prescribed for posttraumatic stress disorder--a crippling condition that sometimes develops in reaction to a disastrous or horrifying experience. Symptoms, which stubbornly refuse to abate, include unwanted memories and dreams, intense distress when confronted with reminders of the event, a general numbing of interest and enjoyment, jumpiness, irritability,
poor sleep, and loss of concentration.
And now, let's look at it's major side effects, again paying attention to the bolded items.
More common side effects may include:
Abnormal ejaculation, abnormal orgasm, constipation,
decreased appetite,
decreased sex drive,
diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, gas, impotence, male and female genital disorders,
nausea,
nervousness,
sleeplessness,
sweating, tremor,
weakness, vertigo.
Now how exactly does a drug help a condition by producing that same condition as a side effect? I could treat those symptoms with a box of Tic-Tacs and produce the same results. :p
P.S. It must blow to have diarrhea AND constipation at the same time 
by camper » Tue Mar 01, 2005 6:33 pm 
