Antidepressants: duloxetine: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Antidepressants: duloxetine

Sample item

A diabetic patient with painful neuropathy and major depression needs one drug for both conditions. Which is suitable?

ABupropionBMirtazapineCDuloxetineDFluoxetine alone

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Duloxetine

Duloxetine is an SNRI effective for depression and for diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. Venlafaxine at higher doses may raise blood pressure. SSRIs lack consistent analgesic benefit.

Option by option

A. Bupropion
Bupropion has limited evidence in neuropathic pain.
B. Mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has limited analgesic evidence and causes weight gain.
C. Duloxetine (correct)
Correct. Duloxetine treats both depression and neuropathic pain.
D. Fluoxetine alone
Fluoxetine has no robust analgesic effect.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, Duloxetine. Duloxetine is an SNRI effective for depression and for diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain.

Why is "Bupropion" not the answer?

Bupropion has limited evidence in neuropathic pain.

Why is "Mirtazapine" not the answer?

Mirtazapine has limited analgesic evidence and causes weight gain.

Why is "Fluoxetine alone" not the answer?

Fluoxetine has no robust analgesic effect.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antidepressants: duloxetine in Psychiatry. Venlafaxine at higher doses may raise blood pressure. SSRIs lack consistent analgesic benefit.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Antidepressants: duloxetine?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.