GI drugs: misoprostol: 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 · GI drugs: misoprostol

Sample item

A patient on chronic diclofenac for osteoarthritis has had a gastric ulcer, and a prostaglandin E1 analogue is added for ulcer prophylaxis. Which statement is correct about this drug?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. It is contraindicated in pregnancy because it can cause uterine contractions and abortion

Misoprostol replaces protective prostaglandins, reducing acid and enhancing mucus and bicarbonate, but it causes diarrhoea and uterine contractions. It is contraindicated in pregnancy, although it is used deliberately for abortion and cervical ripening under supervision.

Option by option

  • A. It is safe for use in women planning pregnancy

    It must be avoided in women who may be pregnant.

  • B. It increases gastric acid secretion

    It reduces acid secretion.

  • C. It is contraindicated in pregnancy because it can cause uterine contractions and abortion (correct)

    Correct. Uterotonic action makes it unsafe in pregnancy.

  • D. It commonly causes constipation

    Diarrhoea, not constipation, is the typical adverse effect.

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 C, It is contraindicated in pregnancy because it can cause uterine contractions and abortion. Misoprostol replaces protective prostaglandins, reducing acid and enhancing mucus and bicarbonate, but it causes diarrhoea and uterine contractions.

Why is "It is safe for use in women planning pregnancy" not the answer?

It must be avoided in women who may be pregnant.

Why is "It increases gastric acid secretion" not the answer?

It reduces acid secretion.

Why is "It commonly causes constipation" not the answer?

Diarrhoea, not constipation, is the typical adverse effect.

What concept does this question test?

It tests GI drugs: misoprostol in Pharmacology. It is contraindicated in pregnancy, although it is used deliberately for abortion and cervical ripening under supervision.

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 GI drugs: misoprostol?

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.