Paroxetine hydrochloride (Paxil^®) is a prescription medication that is used to treat several conditions of the brain, including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder, and other conditions. This medication is a type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and works by affecting a certain brain chemical (serotonin). Before your healthcare provider prescribes paroxetine, he or she will consider several factors, including your age, other medical conditions you have, and other medications you may be taking.