🏥 USMLE Exam Prep

A new antidepressant drug primarily inhibits the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine from the synaptic cleft. How would this drug be classified?

A Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI)
B Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
C Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI)
D Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA)

✓ Correct Answer: Option C

SNRIs specifically block the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine, increasing their concentrations in the synaptic cleft. SSRIs only block serotonin reuptake, while TCAs have broader receptor affinities.

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