Lipid drugs: lomitapide: 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: lomitapide

Sample item

A young adult with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia and no functional LDL receptors does not respond adequately to statins. Which oral drug that inhibits microsomal triglyceride transfer protein may be used?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Lomitapide

Lomitapide inhibits MTP, reducing assembly and secretion of VLDL and chylomicrons and so lowering LDL independent of LDL receptors. It causes hepatic steatosis and gastrointestinal effects.

Option by option

  • A. Orlistat

    Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor for obesity.

  • B. Lomitapide (correct)

    Correct. MTP inhibition reduces lipoprotein assembly.

  • C. Ezetimibe

    Ezetimibe acts on absorption and depends on LDL receptor-mediated clearance.

  • D. Niacin

    Niacin lowers VLDL through different mechanisms and is not an MTP inhibitor.

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, Lomitapide. Lomitapide inhibits MTP, reducing assembly and secretion of VLDL and chylomicrons and so lowering LDL independent of LDL receptors.

Why is "Orlistat" not the answer?

Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor for obesity.

Why is "Ezetimibe" not the answer?

Ezetimibe acts on absorption and depends on LDL receptor-mediated clearance.

Why is "Niacin" not the answer?

Niacin lowers VLDL through different mechanisms and is not an MTP inhibitor.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lipid drugs: lomitapide in Pharmacology. It causes hepatic steatosis and gastrointestinal effects.

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: lomitapide?

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.