National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCAC I) Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

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What was the goal in developing tricyclic antidepressants?

To target anxiety symptoms only

To reduce the side effects of MAOIs

The goal in developing tricyclic antidepressants was to reduce the side effects associated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). MAOIs were among the first classes of antidepressants used, but they often came with a variety of side effects and dietary restrictions that made them less appealing to patients.

Tricyclic antidepressants were designed to provide effective treatment for depression while offering a more favorable side effect profile than MAOIs. By affecting neurotransmitter systems in the brain—specifically, by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin—tricyclics helped alleviate symptoms of depression without the severe dietary restrictions and side effects often seen with MAOIs.

This approach allowed for a wider therapeutic window, making tricyclics generally easier for patients to tolerate compared to earlier medications.

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To enhance serotonin absorption

To create a faster-acting medication

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