A patient with a diagnosis of major depression has failed to respond to treatment with SSRIs, and the use of venlafaxine is being considered
The psychiatric nurse would recognize that this drug may have a therapeutic effect by which of the following means? A) Slowing the reuptake of endorphins in the CNS
B) Increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine
C) Stimulating synthesis and potentiating the action of dopamine
D) Slowing the reuptake of acetylcholine in brain synapses
B
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Venlafaxine increases the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain by preventing the reuptake of these neurotransmitters known to play an important part in mood. It does not directly affect endorphins or acetylcholine. The drug weakly inhibits dopamine reuptake.
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