Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the PLAB Test with interactive quizzes and comprehensive study materials. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and detailed explanations. Start studying today!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which medication is often used to treat depression in patients on warfarin?

Fluoxetine
Mirtazapine
Citalopram
Sertraline

The correct answer is: Mirtazapine

Mirtazapine is often chosen to treat depression in patients on warfarin due to its minimal interaction with the anticoagulant. It functions as an atypical antidepressant, and one of its significant advantages is that it does not significantly affect the metabolism of warfarin. This is a crucial consideration in patients undergoing anticoagulation therapy, as many commonly used antidepressants can interact with warfarin, potentially increasing the risk of bleeding by affecting the INR (International Normalized Ratio) levels. The other medications listed, including fluoxetine, citalopram, and sertraline, are often carefully monitored when prescribed to patients on warfarin. These SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) can influence warfarin's effects through various mechanisms, including inhibition of liver enzymes that metabolize warfarin. This makes mirtazapine the preferred option for managing depression in individuals already on warfarin therapy, as it minimizes potential drug-drug interactions and simplifies the management of their overall treatment plan.