AEMCA Practice Exam

Which of the following medications is considered an SSRI?

1. Fluoxetine (Prozac)

2. Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

3. Haloperidol (Haldol)

4. Risperidone (Risperdal)

The correct answer is: Fluoxetine (Prozac)

Fluoxetine, commonly known by its brand name Prozac, is classified as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). SSRIs work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, which can help improve mood, anxiety, and other emotional responses. Fluoxetine is often prescribed to treat conditions such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic attacks, and certain eating disorders. Other medications listed, such as Olanzapine, Haloperidol, and Risperidone, belong to different classes of psychiatric medications. Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic used primarily for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Haloperidol is a traditional antipsychotic, also used for schizophrenia and acute psychosis. Risperidone, like Olanzapine, is an atypical antipsychotic with similar indications. These medications do not primarily function as SSRIs and do not share the same mechanism of action that makes SSRIs effective for depression and anxiety-related disorders.