LEHNE PHARM ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS EXAM
WITH 100+ QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS | A+ GRADED 2026.
1. The primary mechanism of action of SSRIs is:
A. Blockade of dopamine receptors
B. Inhibition of serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT)
C. Inhibition of MAO-B only
D. Activation of GABA receptors
Rationale: SSRIs selectively block SERT, increasing serotonin in the synaptic
cleft.
2. Which antidepressant is the prototype SSRI?
A. Sertraline
B. Fluoxetine
C. Paroxetine
D. Citalopram
Rationale: Fluoxetine was the first SSRI introduced clinically.
3. Tricyclic antidepressants primarily inhibit:
A. Dopamine and acetylcholine reuptake
B. Norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake
C. GABA reuptake
D. MAO-B enzyme only
Rationale: TCAs block NE and 5-HT transporters.
4. A major toxicity in TCA overdose is due to:
A. Calcium channel activation
B. Beta receptor stimulation
C. Sodium channel blockade in the heart
D. Dopamine depletion
Rationale: TCAs block cardiac Na⁺ channels causing arrhythmias.
,5. MAO inhibitors increase neurotransmitters by:
A. Blocking reuptake pumps
B. Preventing enzymatic breakdown of monoamines
C. Blocking postsynaptic receptors
D. Increasing GABA synthesis
Rationale: MAOIs inhibit MAO enzymes responsible for monoamine
degradation.
6. Which combination has highest risk of serotonin syndrome?
A. SSRI + beta blocker
B. SSRI + MAOI
C. TCA + antacid
D. MAOI + benzodiazepine
Rationale: Both drugs increase serotonin strongly.
7. A common side effect of SSRIs is:
A. Severe hypertension
B. Respiratory depression
C. Sexual dysfunction
D. Kidney failure
Rationale: SSRIs commonly cause decreased libido and delayed orgasm.
8. Which drug is an SNRI?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Venlafaxine
C. Phenelzine
D. Amitriptyline
Rationale: Venlafaxine inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake.
9. MAOIs are contraindicated with tyramine foods due to risk of:
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hypertensive crisis
C. Bradycardia
D. Liver failure
Rationale: Tyramine increases catecholamines when MAO is inhibited.
, 10.TCAs commonly cause:
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, constipation)
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Increased dopamine release
Rationale: TCAs block muscarinic receptors.
11.Which antidepressant also inhibits dopamine reuptake?
A. Sertraline
B. Amitriptyline
C. Bupropion
D. Citalopram
Rationale: Bupropion inhibits NE and dopamine reuptake.
12.SSRIs are first-line mainly because they:
A. Work immediately
B. Have fewer side effects than TCAs and MAOIs
C. Cure depression permanently
D. Do not affect serotonin
Rationale: SSRIs have safer profiles.
13.Which receptor blockade causes sedation in TCAs?
A. Dopamine D2
B. Serotonin 5-HT2
C. Histamine H1
D. GABA-A
Rationale: H1 blockade leads to sedation.
14.Which SSRI has the longest half-life?
A. Paroxetine
B. Sertraline
C. Fluoxetine
D. Fluvoxamine
Rationale: Fluoxetine has active metabolite norfluoxetine.
WITH 100+ QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS | A+ GRADED 2026.
1. The primary mechanism of action of SSRIs is:
A. Blockade of dopamine receptors
B. Inhibition of serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT)
C. Inhibition of MAO-B only
D. Activation of GABA receptors
Rationale: SSRIs selectively block SERT, increasing serotonin in the synaptic
cleft.
2. Which antidepressant is the prototype SSRI?
A. Sertraline
B. Fluoxetine
C. Paroxetine
D. Citalopram
Rationale: Fluoxetine was the first SSRI introduced clinically.
3. Tricyclic antidepressants primarily inhibit:
A. Dopamine and acetylcholine reuptake
B. Norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake
C. GABA reuptake
D. MAO-B enzyme only
Rationale: TCAs block NE and 5-HT transporters.
4. A major toxicity in TCA overdose is due to:
A. Calcium channel activation
B. Beta receptor stimulation
C. Sodium channel blockade in the heart
D. Dopamine depletion
Rationale: TCAs block cardiac Na⁺ channels causing arrhythmias.
,5. MAO inhibitors increase neurotransmitters by:
A. Blocking reuptake pumps
B. Preventing enzymatic breakdown of monoamines
C. Blocking postsynaptic receptors
D. Increasing GABA synthesis
Rationale: MAOIs inhibit MAO enzymes responsible for monoamine
degradation.
6. Which combination has highest risk of serotonin syndrome?
A. SSRI + beta blocker
B. SSRI + MAOI
C. TCA + antacid
D. MAOI + benzodiazepine
Rationale: Both drugs increase serotonin strongly.
7. A common side effect of SSRIs is:
A. Severe hypertension
B. Respiratory depression
C. Sexual dysfunction
D. Kidney failure
Rationale: SSRIs commonly cause decreased libido and delayed orgasm.
8. Which drug is an SNRI?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Venlafaxine
C. Phenelzine
D. Amitriptyline
Rationale: Venlafaxine inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake.
9. MAOIs are contraindicated with tyramine foods due to risk of:
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hypertensive crisis
C. Bradycardia
D. Liver failure
Rationale: Tyramine increases catecholamines when MAO is inhibited.
, 10.TCAs commonly cause:
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, constipation)
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Increased dopamine release
Rationale: TCAs block muscarinic receptors.
11.Which antidepressant also inhibits dopamine reuptake?
A. Sertraline
B. Amitriptyline
C. Bupropion
D. Citalopram
Rationale: Bupropion inhibits NE and dopamine reuptake.
12.SSRIs are first-line mainly because they:
A. Work immediately
B. Have fewer side effects than TCAs and MAOIs
C. Cure depression permanently
D. Do not affect serotonin
Rationale: SSRIs have safer profiles.
13.Which receptor blockade causes sedation in TCAs?
A. Dopamine D2
B. Serotonin 5-HT2
C. Histamine H1
D. GABA-A
Rationale: H1 blockade leads to sedation.
14.Which SSRI has the longest half-life?
A. Paroxetine
B. Sertraline
C. Fluoxetine
D. Fluvoxamine
Rationale: Fluoxetine has active metabolite norfluoxetine.
