Which of the following is an SSRI medication?

Which of the following is an SSRI medication?

• A. Fluoxetine
• B. Venlafaxine
• C. Duloxetine
• D. Bupropion

Answer: (A)

SSRI drugs work by selectively blocking the serotonin transporter (SERT), which reduces reuptake of serotonin from the synaptic cleft and increases its availability to activate receptors. This increases serotonin signaling and can help alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms. Fluoxetine is a classic example of an SSRI because it primarily inhibits SERT with high selectivity, leading to increased serotonin in the synapse. Venlafaxine and duloxetine, while also used for depression, block both serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake (they are SNRIs), not just serotonin. Bupropion works through inhibition of norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake (an NDRI) and does not primarily affect serotonin reuptake. So fluoxetine fits the SSRI mechanism, whereas the others do not.

SSRI drugs work by selectively blocking the serotonin transporter (SERT), which reduces reuptake of serotonin from the synaptic cleft and increases its availability to activate receptors. This increases serotonin signaling and can help alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms. Fluoxetine is a classic example of an SSRI because it primarily inhibits SERT with high selectivity, leading to increased serotonin in the synapse. Venlafaxine and duloxetine, while also used for depression, block both serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake (they are SNRIs), not just serotonin. Bupropion works through inhibition of norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake (an NDRI) and does not primarily affect serotonin reuptake. So fluoxetine fits the SSRI mechanism, whereas the others do not.