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

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

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

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