DMARDs: tofacitinib: 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 · DMARDs: tofacitinib

Sample item

Tofacitinib, used in moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, belongs to which class?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Janus kinase inhibitor

Tofacitinib is a small-molecule oral JAK inhibitor that blocks cytokine signalling through the JAK-STAT pathway. Warnings include venous thromboembolism, serious infection and herpes zoster reactivation.

Option by option

  • A. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitor

    Leflunomide inhibits DHODH.

  • B. Janus kinase inhibitor (correct)

    Correct. It is an oral JAK inhibitor.

  • C. Interleukin-6 receptor antibody

    Tocilizumab is the anti-IL-6 receptor antibody.

  • D. TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody

    Anti-TNF monoclonals such as adalimumab are injectable biologics.

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, Janus kinase inhibitor. Tofacitinib is a small-molecule oral JAK inhibitor that blocks cytokine signalling through the JAK-STAT pathway.

Why is "Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitor" not the answer?

Leflunomide inhibits DHODH.

Why is "Interleukin-6 receptor antibody" not the answer?

Tocilizumab is the anti-IL-6 receptor antibody.

Why is "TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody" not the answer?

Anti-TNF monoclonals such as adalimumab are injectable biologics.

What concept does this question test?

It tests DMARDs: tofacitinib in Pharmacology. Warnings include venous thromboembolism, serious infection and herpes zoster reactivation.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 DMARDs: tofacitinib?

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.