Antipsychotics: high-potency typical agents: 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 · Antipsychotics: high-potency typical agents

Sample item

A young man on haloperidol rapidly develops rigidity and akathisia. Which statement about typical antipsychotics explains this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. High-potency D2 blockers such as haloperidol have more extrapyramidal effects but less sedation and anticholinergic effect

High-potency agents such as haloperidol and fluphenazine bind D2 strongly with weak antimuscarinic and antihistamine action, so extrapyramidal effects are prominent. Low-potency drugs such as chlorpromazine cause more sedation, hypotension and anticholinergic effects.

Option by option

  • A. High potency drugs block muscarinic receptors strongly

    Strong antimuscarinic action is a feature of low-potency agents.

  • B. High-potency D2 blockers such as haloperidol have more extrapyramidal effects but less sedation and anticholinergic effect (correct)

    Correct. High potency means more EPS and less sedation.

  • C. Low-potency agents have more extrapyramidal effects

    Low-potency agents have more sedation, not more EPS.

  • D. Extrapyramidal effects are due to H1 blockade

    H1 blockade causes sedation and weight gain.

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, High-potency D2 blockers such as haloperidol have more extrapyramidal effects but less sedation and anticholinergic effect. High-potency agents such as haloperidol and fluphenazine bind D2 strongly with weak antimuscarinic and antihistamine action, so extrapyramidal effects are prominent.

Why is "High potency drugs block muscarinic receptors strongly" not the answer?

Strong antimuscarinic action is a feature of low-potency agents.

Why is "Low-potency agents have more extrapyramidal effects" not the answer?

Low-potency agents have more sedation, not more EPS.

Why is "Extrapyramidal effects are due to H1 blockade" not the answer?

H1 blockade causes sedation and weight gain.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antipsychotics: high-potency typical agents in Pharmacology. Low-potency drugs such as chlorpromazine cause more sedation, hypotension and anticholinergic effects.

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 Antipsychotics: high-potency typical agents?

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.