USMLE Forum Archives - USMLE Step 3 - Psych- Fluoxetine
Psych- Fluoxetine
harry206 - 05-18-09 07:57
A 37-year-old man has been coming to you for a month for management of depression that has not
improved despite "years of wasted psychiatrist visits." You prescribed a full dose of fluoxetine 4 weeks
earlier after you ruled out a medical etiology for his condition. He returns today to tell you that he has not
noticed any improvement in his mood, energy level, or ability to concentrate. He promises you that he is
taking the medication exactly as prescribed and that he is not drinking any alcohol. Physical
examination is unremarkable. He denies any suicidal ideation and does not have any psychotic
symptoms. He really wants you to prescribe a different medication. At this time you should
harry206 - 05-18-09 07:57
A 37-year-old man has been coming to you for a month for management of depression that has not
improved despite "years of wasted psychiatrist visits." You prescribed a full dose of fluoxetine 4 weeks
earlier after you ruled out a medical etiology for his condition. He returns today to tell you that he has not
noticed any improvement in his mood, energy level, or ability to concentrate. He promises you that he is
taking the medication exactly as prescribed and that he is not drinking any alcohol. Physical
examination is unremarkable. He denies any suicidal ideation and does not have any psychotic
symptoms. He really wants you to prescribe a different medication. At this time you should
The correct answer and explanation will be available after you answer.
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#17
Re: Psych- Fluoxetine conym5 - 11-26-09 10:56 Fluoxetine affects neurotransmitters, the chemicals that nerves within the brain use to communicate with each other. Neurotransmitters are manufactured and released by nerves and then travel and attach to nearby nerves. Thus, neurotransmitters can be thought of as the communication system of the brain. Serotonin is one neurotransmitter that is released by nerves in the brain. The serotonin either travels across the space between nerves and attaches to receptors on the surface of nearby nerves or it attaches to receptors on the surface of the nerve that produced it, to be taken up by the nerve and released again (a process referred to as re-uptake).
#31
Re: Psych- Fluoxetine babbu5508 - 06-20-10 14:36 My answer is: c.
Fluoxetine was shown to be effective for depression in 6-week long period in most cases with depressive illnesses......
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