Pharmacology of Antidepressant Drugs: Learn About Antidepressants

Question 1

Classify the following neurotransmitter as either a monoamine or non-monoamine: Glutamate

Accepted Answer

Non-monoamine

Answer

Monoamine

Question 2

Which antidepressant class is generally considered the first-line treatment for depression?

Accepted Answer

SSRIs

Answer

TCAs

Answer

SNRIs

Answer

MAOIs

Question 3

Which neurotransmitters are primarily targeted by tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) to alleviate depression?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin and Norepinephrine

Answer

Dopamine and Norepinephrine

Answer

Acetylcholine and GABA

Question 4

When combining antidepressant drugs with other medications, such as antipsychotics or antianxiety medications, what are the potential advantages and disadvantages to consider?

Accepted Answer

Potential for both increased therapeutic benefit and increased risk of adverse effects, requiring careful consideration of individual patient factors.

Answer

Increased risk of adverse effects, including serotonin syndrome, without any additional therapeutic benefit.

Answer

Enhanced therapeutic efficacy, such as improved symptom control, without any increased risk of adverse effects.

Answer

No significant risks or benefits associated with combining antidepressant drugs with other medications.

Question 5

Which neurotransmitter's reuptake is primarily blocked by SSRIs?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

GABA

Question 6

Among the listed antidepressant drugs, which one is known for its prominent anticholinergic side effects?

Accepted Answer

Amitriptyline

Answer

Fluoxetine

Answer

Venlafaxine

Answer

Escitalopram

Question 7

Which antidepressant drug is known for its rapid onset of action?

Accepted Answer

Bupropion

Answer

Fluoxetine

Answer

Sertraline

Answer

Amitriptyline

Question 8

How does genetic variability influence the effectiveness and tolerability of antidepressant medications?

Accepted Answer

Genetic variations affect drug metabolism and elimination.

Answer

Genetic factors alone determine the best type of antidepressant for each person.

Answer

Genetic variability has no impact on the efficacy of antidepressant therapy.

Answer

Genetic variability only affects the side effects of antidepressant use.

Question 9

Which class of antidepressant drugs is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular side effects?

Accepted Answer

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

Answer

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Answer

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

Answer

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Question 10

Which characteristic is unique to serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)?

Accepted Answer

They have a dual mechanism of action on both serotonin and norepinephrine transporters

Answer

They are generally better tolerated than tricyclic antidepressants

Answer

They have a high risk of causing sexual dysfunction

Answer

They are contraindicated in patients with bipolar disorder

Question 11

Which neurotransmitter is the primary target of most antidepressant drugs?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

GABA

Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 12

How do SNRIs alleviate depression? Explain their influence on neurotransmitter levels in the brain.

Accepted Answer

SNRIs selectively inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake, boosting their synaptic concentrations.

Answer

SNRIs increase serotonin and norepinephrine release from presynaptic terminals.

Answer

SNRIs prevent serotonin and norepinephrine breakdown by monoamine oxidase (MAO).

Answer

SNRIs activate postsynaptic serotonin and norepinephrine receptors.

Question 13

Which of the following is a hallmark adverse effect of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?

Accepted Answer

Anticholinergic effects (e.g., dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation)

Answer

Weight gain

Answer

Increased libido

Answer

Hyperactivity

Question 14

Which of the following antidepressants belongs to the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) class?

Accepted Answer

Venlafaxine

Answer

Bupropion (NDRI)

Answer

Fluoxetine (SSRI)

Answer

Amitriptyline (TCA)

Question 15

A primary therapeutic use of antidepressant drugs is to treat:

Accepted Answer

Major depressive disorder

Answer

Seizure disorders

Answer

Pain management (while some possess analgesic properties, this is not the primary indication)

Answer

Anxiety disorders (while often used, this is not the primary indication)

Question 16

Which of the following is a contraindication for the use of TCAs?

Accepted Answer

Unstable angina or recent myocardial infarction

Answer

Hepatic impairment

Answer

Renal impairment (TCAs are generally safe in renal impairment, but dosage adjustment may be needed)

Answer

Pregnancy (TCAs are generally considered safe in pregnancy)

Question 17

When selecting an antidepressant medication for a specific patient, which of the following factors should be considered?

Accepted Answer

Age, medical history, and concomitant medications

Answer

Type of insurance

Answer

Time of day (timing of administration is relevant but not the primary consideration when selecting an antidepressant)

Answer

Patient's preferences (while preferences may be considered, they should not override clinical judgment)

Question 18

Which of the following is a potential drug interaction with SSRIs?

Accepted Answer

Increased risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulants

Answer

Increased sedation with benzodiazepines (an expected additive effect, not necessarily an adverse interaction)

Answer

Increased blood pressure with beta-blockers (unlikely interaction)

Question 19

Which of the following statements about antidepressant drugs is accurate?

Accepted Answer

They may take several weeks to show full therapeutic benefit.

Answer

They are completely non-addictive.

Answer

They should be discontinued abruptly if they are ineffective.

Answer

They are uniformly effective for all patients with depression.

Question 20

Which of the following is a risk factor for antidepressant-induced mania?

Accepted Answer

Personal or family history of bipolar disorder

Answer

Anxiety disorder (may coexist with depression, but not a specific risk factor for antidepressant-induced mania)

Answer

Gastrointestinal problems

Answer

Hypertension (not a specific risk factor for antidepressant-induced mania)

Question 21

Which of the following may indicate that an antidepressant medication is not producing the desired therapeutic effect?

Accepted Answer

Persistent severe depressive symptoms

Answer

Decreased appetite (can be a side effect but not necessarily indicative of poor response)

Answer

Improved sleep (can be a therapeutic effect, not necessarily indicative of poor response)

Answer

Increased energy levels (can be a therapeutic effect, not necessarily indicative of poor response)

Question 22

A patient taking fluoxetine, an SSRI, reports nausea and sexual dysfunction. These side effects are primarily attributed to which mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of serotonin reuptake in the central nervous system.

Answer

Blockade of muscarinic receptors.

Answer

Inhibition of monoamine oxidase.

Question 23

A patient is experiencing a severe adverse reaction to an SSRI, characterized by hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, and autonomic instability. What is the most likely cause of this reaction?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin Syndrome

Answer

Withdrawal Syndrome

Answer

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

Answer

Anticholinergic Crisis

Question 24

Which of the following antidepressants is often used for the treatment of neuropathic pain due to its dual action on both serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake?

Accepted Answer

Duloxetine (SNRI)

Answer

Fluoxetine (SSRI)

Answer

Phenelzine (MAOI)

Answer

Imipramine (TCA)

Question 25

A patient being treated with a TCA is advised to avoid consuming large amounts of aged cheese and red wine. What is the reason for this instruction?

Accepted Answer

These foods contain tyramine, which can interact with TCAs and lead to a hypertensive crisis.

Answer

These foods are known to interact with serotonin receptors and interfere with the antidepressant effects.

Answer

These foods are high in sodium, which can worsen the side effects of TCAs.

Question 26

What is the primary mechanism of action of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?

Accepted Answer

TCAs block the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the synaptic cleft.

Answer

TCAs inhibit the breakdown of serotonin and norepinephrine in the synaptic cleft.

Answer

TCAs directly stimulate the release of serotonin and norepinephrine from presynaptic neurons.

Question 27

A patient experiences significant withdrawal symptoms after abruptly stopping an SSRI. What is the most appropriate management strategy?

Accepted Answer

Gradual tapering of the SSRI dose over several weeks.

Answer

Immediate initiation of a different antidepressant medication.

Answer

Prescribing benzodiazepines to manage withdrawal symptoms.