Paxil (Paroxetine,Seroxat)

bmj.com:  Lawyers may seek judicial review of panel reviewing paroxetine.

This is the latest volly in a conflict between patients and pharmaceutical manufacturers over what happens when the medication is withdrawn.

It's been well described that Paroxetine is associated with more symptoms of withdrawal than other SSRI's.  I've seen this so often that I no longer prescribe Paroxetine.  I also do my very best to switch patients to another SSRI if they were prescribed it by a previous physician.  Most patients are happy to switch.  It's a 1:1 switch .. so there is no need to taper OFF Paroxetine when starting another SSRI:

	Paroxetine	Fluoxetine	Sertraline	Citalopram
	20 mg	20 mg	50 mg	20 mg
	40 mg	40 mg	100 mg	40 mg
half-life	up to 21 hrs	4 - 15 days	22-36 hrs	36 hrs

While the short half-life may account for some of this effect, I think that there is also something unique about this drug that causes trouble when people discontinue it.