Question

question 25

a pharmacy technician is filling a prescription for sertraline (zoloft). the technician should recognize that sertraline belongs to which of the following drug classes?

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (ssris)
monoamine oxidase inhibitors (maois)
tricyclic antidepressants (tcas)

Explanation:

Identify the drug and its common indications

Sertraline (brand name Zoloft) is a widely prescribed medication primarily used to treat major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

Analyze the mechanism of action and drug class

Sertraline works by selectively inhibiting the presynaptic reuptake of serotonin in the central nervous system, thereby increasing synaptic serotonin levels. This mechanism defines its pharmacological class as a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI).

Evaluate the given multiple-choice options

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): This matches the pharmacological classification of sertraline.
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): This is an older class of antidepressants (e.g., phenelzine) with a different mechanism and side-effect profile.
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs): This class (e.g., amitriptyline) primarily inhibits both serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake but has significant anticholinergic side effects, unlike SSRIs.

Answer:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (Correct answer)
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)