Psychopharmacology: tricyclic antidepressants: 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.

Try it

Psychiatry · Psychopharmacology: tricyclic antidepressants

Sample item

Which tricyclic antidepressant is the most selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and is a standard second-line drug in OCD?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Clomipramine

Clomipramine has the strongest serotonin reuptake inhibition of the tricyclics, and is effective in OCD. Its anticholinergic and cardiac adverse effects, and its seizure risk, limit its use.

Option by option

  • A. Clomipramine (correct)

    Correct. Clomipramine is the most serotonergic TCA.

  • B. Desipramine

    Desipramine is predominantly noradrenergic.

  • C. Nortriptyline

    Nortriptyline is mainly noradrenergic with milder side effects.

  • D. Amitriptyline

    Amitriptyline is a mixed reuptake inhibitor, with strong anticholinergic and sedating effects.

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.

More Psychiatry questions

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is A, Clomipramine. Clomipramine has the strongest serotonin reuptake inhibition of the tricyclics, and is effective in OCD.

Why is "Desipramine" not the answer?

Desipramine is predominantly noradrenergic.

Why is "Nortriptyline" not the answer?

Nortriptyline is mainly noradrenergic with milder side effects.

Why is "Amitriptyline" not the answer?

Amitriptyline is a mixed reuptake inhibitor, with strong anticholinergic and sedating effects.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychopharmacology: tricyclic antidepressants in Psychiatry. Its anticholinergic and cardiac adverse effects, and its seizure risk, limit its use.

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 Psychopharmacology: tricyclic antidepressants?

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.