Which class does Fluoxetine belong to?

• A. SSRI
• B. SNRI
• C. TCA
• D. MAOI

Answer: (A)

Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. It blocks the serotonin transporter, increasing serotonin levels in the synaptic cleft, which is the hallmark action of this class. This selectivity for serotonin over norepinephrine reuptake differentiates it from other antidepressant classes: SNRI drugs affect both serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake; TCAs typically inhibit multiple transporters and can have anticholinergic effects; MAOIs inhibit monoamine oxidase to prevent breakdown of monoamines. Fluoxetine’s defining mechanism gives it its place as an SSRI, often with a long half-life and an active metabolite (norfluoxetine) that can influence clinical considerations.