Lipid drugs: inclisiran: 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: inclisiran

Sample item

A patient with familial hypercholesterolaemia needs twice-yearly subcutaneous therapy that lowers LDL by reducing hepatic PCSK9 synthesis. Which agent works through RNA interference?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Inclisiran

Inclisiran is a small interfering RNA that silences hepatic PCSK9 mRNA, increasing LDL receptor recycling and lowering LDL, with dosing every six months. Evolocumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds circulating PCSK9.

Option by option

  • A. Bempedoic acid

    Bempedoic acid is an oral ATP citrate lyase inhibitor.

  • B. Inclisiran (correct)

    Correct. Inclisiran is a siRNA against PCSK9.

  • C. Lomitapide

    Lomitapide is an oral MTP inhibitor.

  • D. Evolocumab

    Evolocumab blocks PCSK9 protein through an antibody mechanism, not RNA interference.

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, Inclisiran. Inclisiran is a small interfering RNA that silences hepatic PCSK9 mRNA, increasing LDL receptor recycling and lowering LDL, with dosing every six months.

Why is "Bempedoic acid" not the answer?

Bempedoic acid is an oral ATP citrate lyase inhibitor.

Why is "Lomitapide" not the answer?

Lomitapide is an oral MTP inhibitor.

Why is "Evolocumab" not the answer?

Evolocumab blocks PCSK9 protein through an antibody mechanism, not RNA interference.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lipid drugs: inclisiran in Pharmacology. Evolocumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds circulating PCSK9.

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 Lipid drugs: inclisiran?

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.