Marijuana / Question
Published: November 5, 2002
Dear TeenHealthFX,
My doctor put me on 20mg of paxil for social phobia. I smoke marijuana daily and want to know if combining the two could be dangerous.
Signed: Marijuana and Paxil
Dear Marijuana and Paxil,
Paroxetine, or Paxil, is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Paroxetine affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression, panic or anxiety, or obsessive or compulsive symptoms, and is used to treat conditions like social phobia and depression.
There are several prescription drugs that do have negative interactions with Paxil. If your doctor has prescribed it to you than he or she certainly would have made sure that you were not in any danger of having a negative reaction due to such a combination. But illegal drugs may also interact with Paxil - marijuana included. The effects of marijuana are due to its affect on the brains chemicals and therefore may not allow Paxil to do its job. It is very important that you are honest with your doctor and talk to him or her before you continue to use both drugs at the same time. Not only can your doctor tell you about the potential dangers of the combination, but he or she will likely be better able to treat your psychological condition once you have been forthcoming about your drug use.
TeenHealthFX wants you to know that aside from the potential negative interaction with your Paxil prescription, smoking marijuana every day is extremely unhealthy, not to mention illegal. Long and short term use of marijuana can lead to psychological addiction, the possibility of bad pot (causing medical problems and conditions), decreased mental abilities and burnt out brain cells, mental confusion, lung damage, weight gain, increased tolerance (requiring more of the drug to get you high) and decreased sexual performance. All of these can lead to the permanent side effect of doing damage to your body.
For more information on marijuana see out answer to High Times, and please get help from a doctor, parent or hospital that has a substance abuse program. If you live in northern
Another good source would be the Marijuana Anonymous website.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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