Which serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor carries evidence and regulatory approval for BOTH generalised anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder?
- A Venlafaxine extended release ✓
- B Duloxetine
- C Milnacipran
- D Levomilnacipran
Correct answer: A. Venlafaxine extended release
Explanation
Venlafaxine extended release is approved for generalised anxiety disorder and is also an accepted, well-studied treatment for social anxiety disorder, making it useful when SSRIs fail or cannot be tolerated. Duloxetine is approved for generalised anxiety disorder but lacks an equivalent evidence base in social anxiety disorder, which kills the strongest distractor. Milnacipran and levomilnacipran are used mainly for fibromyalgia and major depression respectively, not anxiety disorders.
Reference: Katzung's Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 16th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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