Definition

A medication used to treat depression and anxiety by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.

Example

The doctor prescribed paroxetine to help manage her depression.

Conversation

Have you heard about paroxetine?

Yeah, I think it's used to treat depression, right?

Exactly! I read that it's an SSRI medication.

That sounds interesting, I wonder how it works.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Paroxetine is a synthetic compound, and its name is derived from the chemical structure of the drug. The prefix 'para-' (meaning beside or near) is combined with 'oxetine', which is a suffix used in the names of certain antidepressants. The word does not have traditional roots in Latin or Greek but is a modern chemical nomenclature.

Memory Tip

Think of 'para-' meaning beside, which helps you remember that paroxetine is a medication that works alongside other treatments for depression.

Visually Confused Words