Paroxetine treatment of major depressive disorder

Major depression is recognized as a common, often chronic and recurrent illness that is associated with significant disability and comorbidity. The treatment of patients with major depressive disorder has advanced tremendously in the past decade as a result of the availability of effective and well-tolerated antidepressants. Paroxetine is a widely studied selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) with evidence for efficacy and safety that is supported by a large body of published literature. Evidence for the efficacy and tolerability of anew controlled-release formulation of paroxetine also has been published. Findings from paroxetine clinical studies have added considerably to our knowledge and understanding of the treatment of major depressive disorder, particularly with regard to duration of treatment, the need for treating to full remission and with full doses, and treatment of patients with concurrent symptoms of anxiety.