Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSR) that has numerous disadvantages when compared to the other SSRIs, for one it has a higherincidence of sexual, anticholinergic and weight-related side effects and inhibits CYP2D6very potently, hence being more prone than most other SSRIs to cause drug interactions.[1] It is also the sole SSRI that has been associated with an increased risk of congenital heart defects, if taken during pregnancy.[2][3] Its usual dosage range is 20-50 mg/day and is a phenylpiperidine.[4] It is approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved for the treatment of six psychiatric conditions, namely, major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and social phobia),[4] and is Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for an additional two indications: premenstrual dysphoric disorder and menopausal vasomotor symptoms.[5]
It has the shortest half-life of all SSRIs at 17 hours and is metabolized predominantly by CYP2D6 and has no active metabolites.[6]