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. )

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

paroxetine

Overall, the most prescribed class of antidepressants - SSRIs such as paroxetine, citalopram, escitalopram and sertraline - tended to have fewer physical side effects.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2025

These kinds of symptoms were more common after discontinuing treatment with the drugs imipramine, paroxetine, venlafaxine, and desvenlafaxine.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 6, 2024

The antidepressants sertraline and paroxetine, both greenlit by FDA in 2000, generally have a small effect and work in less than two-thirds of patients, Rothbaum notes.

From Science Magazine ● Jun. 5, 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

“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

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