Desvenlafaxine is best described as which type?

Study for the Galen Pharmacology Exam 1 Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Achieve exam success!

Multiple Choice

Desvenlafaxine is best described as which type?

Explanation:
Desvenlafaxine is best described as an SNRI because its mechanism is to block the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine, increasing their levels in the synaptic cleft. This dual action defines the SNRI class, distinguishing it from SSRIs, which mainly increase serotonin with little effect on norepinephrine. It’s not a MAOI, which would work by inhibiting the breakdown of monoamines, and it’s not a TCA, which have a broader and more complex transporter profile with more side effects. Desvenlafaxine is the active metabolite of venlafaxine, sharing its SNRI mechanism.

Desvenlafaxine is best described as an SNRI because its mechanism is to block the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine, increasing their levels in the synaptic cleft. This dual action defines the SNRI class, distinguishing it from SSRIs, which mainly increase serotonin with little effect on norepinephrine. It’s not a MAOI, which would work by inhibiting the breakdown of monoamines, and it’s not a TCA, which have a broader and more complex transporter profile with more side effects. Desvenlafaxine is the active metabolite of venlafaxine, sharing its SNRI mechanism.

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