Lipid drugs: ezetimibe: 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 · Lipid drugs: ezetimibe

Sample item

A patient with LDL cholesterol above target on maximal statin therapy is given an add-on drug that blocks intestinal cholesterol absorption. Which target does it act on?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 protein

Ezetimibe inhibits the NPC1L1 transporter in the enterocyte brush border and lowers LDL by about 15 to 20 percent. It is additive to statins and well tolerated.

Option by option

  • A. Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 protein (correct)

    Correct. Ezetimibe blocks NPC1L1.

  • B. ATP citrate lyase

    ATP citrate lyase is inhibited by bempedoic acid.

  • C. PPAR-alpha receptor

    PPAR-alpha is activated by fibrates.

  • D. HMG-CoA reductase

    HMG-CoA reductase is the statin target.

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.

More Pharmacology questions

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is A, Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 protein. Ezetimibe inhibits the NPC1L1 transporter in the enterocyte brush border and lowers LDL by about 15 to 20 percent.

Why is "ATP citrate lyase" not the answer?

ATP citrate lyase is inhibited by bempedoic acid.

Why is "PPAR-alpha receptor" not the answer?

PPAR-alpha is activated by fibrates.

Why is "HMG-CoA reductase" not the answer?

HMG-CoA reductase is the statin target.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lipid drugs: ezetimibe in Pharmacology. It is additive to statins and well tolerated.

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 Lipid drugs: ezetimibe?

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.