Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Paroxetine is an antidepressant of the SSRI group: it keeps more of the messenger serotonin available between nerve cells. It is used for depression, panic disorder, social and generalised anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. It is sold as Paxil and Seroxat, among other names.
Paroxetine is broken down mainly by the liver enzyme CYP2D6, and it also strongly blocks that same enzyme as it builds up. People with little or no CYP2D6 activity have higher blood levels, and people with extra working copies (ultrarapid metabolizers) may have levels too low to work well. CPIC and DPWG have published guidelines on CYP2D6 and paroxetine, and the US FDA lists an effect on drug levels. Many studies have looked at serotonin genes such as SLC6A4 and HTR2A and at the transporter ABCB1, with weaker evidence.
Clinical guidelines that name a gene for Paroxetine. They sort people into groups by the gene copies they carry.
CPIC guideline: CYP2D6. CYP2D6 activity score 0 to 6 or more. Strong. 2023.
DPWG guideline: CYP2D6. CYP2D6 activity score 0 to 6 or more. 2022.
Every published finding on gene variants and Paroxetine. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
CYP2D6 CYP2D6*1, CYP2D6*1xN, CYP2D6*2, CYP2D6*2xN, CYP2D6*3, CYP2D6*4, CYP2D6*5, CYP2D6*9, CYP2D6*10, CYP2D6*14, CYP2D6*41: Level 1A · replicated. Metabolism/PK. 21.
SLC6A4 SLC6A4 HTTLPR long form (L allele), SLC6A4 HTTLPR short form (S allele): Level 3. Efficacy: Major Depressive Disorder, Mood Disorder, Panic Disorder. 23.
HTR1A rs6295: Level 3. Efficacy: Depressive Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder. 7.
BDNF rs6265: Level 3. Efficacy: Depressive Disorder. 7.
Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Studies of how much of the drug people needed or tolerated.
Studies of side effects in people carrying a variant.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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