NSAIDs: colchicine in gout: practice question

A Pharmacology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pharmacology · NSAIDs: colchicine in gout

Sample item

A patient with an acute gout flare cannot take NSAIDs because of peptic ulcer disease and is given colchicine. How does it act?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Binds tubulin and inhibits microtubule polymerisation, reducing neutrophil migration

Colchicine prevents microtubule assembly, impairing neutrophil chemotaxis and inflammasome activity in the joint. It has no effect on uric acid levels and its common side effect is diarrhoea.

Option by option

  • A. Inhibits xanthine oxidase

    Xanthine oxidase inhibition describes allopurinol and febuxostat.

  • B. Binds tubulin and inhibits microtubule polymerisation, reducing neutrophil migration (correct)

    Correct. Microtubule inhibition reduces neutrophil-mediated inflammation.

  • C. Converts uric acid to allantoin

    Conversion of urate to allantoin is the action of rasburicase.

  • D. Blocks URAT1 in the proximal tubule

    URAT1 blockade describes probenecid.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is B, Binds tubulin and inhibits microtubule polymerisation, reducing neutrophil migration. Colchicine prevents microtubule assembly, impairing neutrophil chemotaxis and inflammasome activity in the joint.

Why is "Inhibits xanthine oxidase" not the answer?

Xanthine oxidase inhibition describes allopurinol and febuxostat.

Why is "Converts uric acid to allantoin" not the answer?

Conversion of urate to allantoin is the action of rasburicase.

Why is "Blocks URAT1 in the proximal tubule" not the answer?

URAT1 blockade describes probenecid.

What concept does this question test?

It tests NSAIDs: colchicine in gout in Pharmacology. It has no effect on uric acid levels and its common side effect is diarrhoea.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study NSAIDs: colchicine in gout?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.