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

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 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

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

Menopausal hormone therapy and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor paroxetine can also ease some symptoms.

From New York Times • Feb. 18, 2023

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