Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of antidepressants considered the current standard of drug treatment. A possible cause of depression is an inadequate amount of serotonin, a chemical used in the brain to transmit signals between neurons. SSRIs are said to work by preventing the reuptake of serotonin (also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT) by the presynaptic neuron, thus maintaining higher levels of 5-HT in the synapse. Chemists Klaus Schmiegel and Bryan Molloy of Eli Lilly discovered the first SSRI, fluoxetine. This class of …

Discontinuing Antidepressants – what you need to know
Are antidepressants addictive?
Antidepressants do not cause an addiction as with opioid drugs (such as heroin), barbiturates, amphetamines (speed), alcohol and nicotine. This means that taking your medicine regularly should not cause tolerance or craving.
• Tolerance: This occurs when the body gets used to the drug or medicine when it is taken regularly, so that you need to take higher doses to have the same effect.
• Craving: This is a physical urge, where the body needs the drug or medicine to maintain a …

Paroxetine – Brand Name: Paxil
Overview
Paxil is the brand name for Paroxetine, a phenylpiperidine derivative. Paxil is an SSRI – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, which is a type of antidepressant. SSRIs work by increasing levels of serotonin (a neurotransmitter) to normal.
Paxil’s effects can usually be felt within one to four weeks.
Why is this drug prescribed?
Paxil is used primarily to treat Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD.)
Paxil is also used to treat:
depression
panic disorder / panic attacks
diabetic nerve pain (neuropathy)
chronic tension headaches
social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
premature ejaculation
premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Warnings
The safety and effectiveness of Paxil in children …