A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant with strong anticholinergic properties, used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and PTSD. Known for significant withdrawal symptoms when discontinued.
Developed by GlaxoSmithKline in the 1980s, the name reflects its chemical structure as a phenylpiperidine derivative. The '-ine' suffix indicates its classification as a nitrogen-containing organic compound.
Paroxetine has the shortest half-life among SSRIs, which makes it notorious for causing severe withdrawal symptoms - patients describe 'brain zaps' or electrical shock sensations when they miss doses. Despite this, it's particularly effective for anxiety disorders and is one of the few antidepressants that tends to cause weight gain rather than loss.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.