Duloxetine is an example of which antidepressant class?

Duloxetine is an example of which antidepressant class?

• A. SSRI
• B. SNRI
• C. TCA
• D. MAOI

Answer: (B)

The main concept tested is how antidepressants are classified by their mechanism of action. Duloxetine works by inhibiting the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine, so it’s an SNRI. This dual inhibition increases the levels of these two neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft, helping relieve depressive symptoms and often contributing to pain relief in conditions like neuropathic pain or fibromyalgia. It’s not an SSRI, because it does not act solely on serotonin; it also boosts norepinephrine. It’s not a TCA or an MAOI, since those classes work through different targets and have distinct pharmacologic profiles and side effects.

The main concept tested is how antidepressants are classified by their mechanism of action. Duloxetine works by inhibiting the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine, so it’s an SNRI. This dual inhibition increases the levels of these two neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft, helping relieve depressive symptoms and often contributing to pain relief in conditions like neuropathic pain or fibromyalgia. It’s not an SSRI, because it does not act solely on serotonin; it also boosts norepinephrine. It’s not a TCA or an MAOI, since those classes work through different targets and have distinct pharmacologic profiles and side effects.