Parkinsonism: amantadine: 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 · Parkinsonism: amantadine

Sample item

A patient with Parkinson disease on levodopa has troublesome involuntary movements at peak dose. Which drug, also used for influenza, reduces levodopa-induced dyskinesia?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Amantadine

Amantadine has NMDA antagonist action and increases dopamine release, and it reduces levodopa-induced dyskinesias. Side effects include livedo reticularis, ankle oedema and confusion.

Option by option

  • A. Selegiline

    Selegiline prolongs levodopa effect and may worsen dyskinesia.

  • B. Pramipexole

    Pramipexole is a dopamine agonist and can cause dyskinesia.

  • C. Trihexyphenidyl

    Trihexyphenidyl mainly helps tremor and causes anticholinergic effects.

  • D. Amantadine (correct)

    Correct. Amantadine reduces dyskinesia.

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 D, Amantadine. Amantadine has NMDA antagonist action and increases dopamine release, and it reduces levodopa-induced dyskinesias.

Why is "Selegiline" not the answer?

Selegiline prolongs levodopa effect and may worsen dyskinesia.

Why is "Pramipexole" not the answer?

Pramipexole is a dopamine agonist and can cause dyskinesia.

Why is "Trihexyphenidyl" not the answer?

Trihexyphenidyl mainly helps tremor and causes anticholinergic effects.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parkinsonism: amantadine in Pharmacology. Side effects include livedo reticularis, ankle oedema and confusion.

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 Parkinsonism: amantadine?

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.