Antidepressants: paroxetine: practice question

A Pharmacology 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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Pharmacology · Antidepressants: paroxetine

Sample item

An elderly man with depression and prostatism is started on an SSRI and develops urinary retention and constipation. Which SSRI has the strongest anticholinergic properties?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Paroxetine

Paroxetine is the most anticholinergic SSRI and also has the most pronounced discontinuation syndrome. It should be avoided in the elderly and in pregnancy because of cardiac malformations.

Option by option

  • A. Fluoxetine

    Fluoxetine has little anticholinergic action.

  • B. Paroxetine (correct)

    Correct. Paroxetine has the greatest antimuscarinic activity.

  • C. Escitalopram

    Escitalopram has minimal anticholinergic action.

  • D. Sertraline

    Sertraline has minimal anticholinergic action.

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.

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Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is B, Paroxetine. Paroxetine is the most anticholinergic SSRI and also has the most pronounced discontinuation syndrome.

Why is "Fluoxetine" not the answer?

Fluoxetine has little anticholinergic action.

Why is "Escitalopram" not the answer?

Escitalopram has minimal anticholinergic action.

Why is "Sertraline" not the answer?

Sertraline has minimal anticholinergic action.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antidepressants: paroxetine in Pharmacology. It should be avoided in the elderly and in pregnancy because of cardiac malformations.

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: paroxetine?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology 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.