Withdrawal from Paxil® is more severe than with other SSRIs because Paxil® has a shorter half-life ---- but not shorter than Efexor

Withdrawal from Paxil® is more severe than with other SSRIs because Paxil® has a shorter half-life; it clears the body faster so the pain associated with the body's adjustment is more intense. Other SSRIs leave the body over a longer period of time, thus the body's readjustment is less intense and fewer withdrawal symptoms, if any, are experienced. The cycle with Paxil® is paradoxical because as an SSRI that lingers in the system the withdrawal symptoms appear later making it seem the that depression has set in again — and so the doctor's answer is to put the patient back on Paxil®.