Respiratory drugs: omalizumab: 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 · Respiratory drugs: omalizumab

Sample item

A patient with severe persistent allergic asthma and high serum IgE remains uncontrolled on high-dose inhaled steroid plus LABA. Which biologic targets IgE?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Omalizumab

Omalizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody that binds free IgE and reduces mast cell sensitisation, helping severe allergic asthma. Mepolizumab targets interleukin-5 for eosinophilic asthma.

Option by option

  • A. Omalizumab (correct)

    Correct. Omalizumab is an anti-IgE antibody.

  • B. Infliximab

    Infliximab blocks TNF-alpha.

  • C. Mepolizumab

    Mepolizumab blocks IL-5.

  • D. Tocilizumab

    Tocilizumab blocks the IL-6 receptor.

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 A, Omalizumab. Omalizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody that binds free IgE and reduces mast cell sensitisation, helping severe allergic asthma.

Why is "Infliximab" not the answer?

Infliximab blocks TNF-alpha.

Why is "Mepolizumab" not the answer?

Mepolizumab blocks IL-5.

Why is "Tocilizumab" not the answer?

Tocilizumab blocks the IL-6 receptor.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Respiratory drugs: omalizumab in Pharmacology. Mepolizumab targets interleukin-5 for eosinophilic asthma.

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 Respiratory drugs: omalizumab?

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.