paroxetine

American  

[puh-rok-si-teen, par-ok-] / pəˈrɒk sɪˌtin, pærˈɒk- /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a drug, C 19 H 20 FNO 3 HCl, of the SSRI class, that acts by prolonging the action of serotonin in the brain, used in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders.

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paroxetine British  

/ pæˈrɒksətiːn /

noun

1. an antidepressant drug that acts by preventing the re-uptake after release of serotonin in the brain, thereby prolonging its action: used for treating depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and panic disorder. Formula: C 19 H 20 FNO 3

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Etymology

Origin of paroxetine

First recorded in 1975–80; of uncertain origin, but perhaps based on piperidine ( def. ) with the infix ox- ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

paroxetine

Dr Toby Pillinger says: John should avoid drugs such as venlafaxine, amitriptyline or nortriptyline which raise blood pressure, and would be better suited to citalopram, escitalopram and paroxetine.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2025

The oral antidepressants analyzed were amitriptyline, bupropion, citalopram, desvenlafaxine, doxepin, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, mirtazapine, nortriptyline, paroxetine, sertraline, trazodone, and venlafaxine.

From Science Daily ● May 30, 2024

There are reports in the medical literature of dextromethorphan cough medicine interacting with antidepressants such as fluoxetine, citalopram, paroxetine and sertraline.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 23, 2022

Researchers have built on the work by List and MacMillan to develop asymmetric organocatalysts that have helped produce dozens of pharmaceuticals, including paroxetine, used to treat anxiety and depression, and the influenza drug oseltamivir.

From Science Magazine ● Oct. 6, 2021

“The scientific evidence does not establish that paroxetine causes suicide, suicide attempts, self-harm or suicidal thinking in adult populations,” Frances DeFranco, a company spokeswoman, said in an email.

From New York Times ● Sep. 11, 2017