Paroxetine, sold under brand names like Paxil, is an antidepressant medication belonging to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. It is approved for the treatment of various mood and anxiety disorders. First approved for medical use in the United States in 1992, paroxetine works by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, a neurotransmitter believed to play a key role in mood regulation. It is typically taken orally in tablet or liquid form.
Clinically, paroxetine is recognized for its efficacy in managing conditions such as major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is one of several SSRIs available, and its specific pharmacological profile can lead to differences in its side effect spectrum compared to other drugs in the same class. (National Institute of Mental Health, MedlinePlus)
Deep dive
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Known interactions
Category rule: supplement × medication
Note
Some supplements change how the body processes medications (absorption, liver enzymes, or additive effects).
Specific pairs are checked against a licensed drug database and shown with their own severity. Always confirm with your provider or pharmacist.
Category rule: vitamin × medication
Note
Certain vitamins interact with specific medications (e.g., vitamin K with blood thinners).
Specific pairs are checked against a licensed source; confirm with your provider.
Compound-pair rule
Avoid
Combining SSRIs/SNRIs with MAOIs can cause life-threatening serotonin syndrome.
Do not combine. Allow at least 14 days between stopping one and starting the other (5 weeks for fluoxetine).
Compound-pair rule
Avoid
Combining SSRIs/SNRIs with MAOIs can cause life-threatening serotonin syndrome.
Do not combine. Allow at least 14 days between stopping one and starting the other (5 weeks for fluoxetine).
Compound-pair rule
Avoid
Combining SSRIs/SNRIs with MAOIs can cause life-threatening serotonin syndrome.
Do not combine. Allow at least 14 days between stopping one and starting the other (5 weeks for fluoxetine).
Compound-pair rule
Avoid
Combining SSRIs/SNRIs with MAOIs can cause life-threatening serotonin syndrome.
Do not combine. Allow at least 14 days between stopping one and starting the other (5 weeks for fluoxetine).
Frequently asked
Sources referenced
- Cochrane Review
- DrugBank
- EMA SmPC (European Medicines Agency Summary of Product Characteristics)
- Examine.com
- FDA label (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
- Mayo Clinic
- MedlinePlus
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- NIH ODS (National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements)
- PubChem
Stackwise compiles summaries from publicly available scientific and regulatory references. Always verify important decisions with a licensed clinician.
Related compounds
Others in the medication category or studied for the same goals.
