Antipsychotics: metabolic effects of atypicals: 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: metabolic effects of atypicals

Sample item

A young man with schizophrenia gains 14 kg in six months with raised fasting glucose and triglycerides after starting an antipsychotic. Which drug is most likely responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Olanzapine

Olanzapine and clozapine carry the highest risk of weight gain, dyslipidaemia and diabetes, while aripiprazole and ziprasidone are relatively metabolically neutral. Aripiprazole is a D2 partial agonist.

Option by option

  • A. Aripiprazole

    Aripiprazole is relatively weight neutral.

  • B. Haloperidol

    Haloperidol mainly causes EPS, with less metabolic risk.

  • C. Ziprasidone

    Ziprasidone is relatively weight neutral.

  • D. Olanzapine (correct)

    Correct. Olanzapine has high metabolic liability.

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, Olanzapine. Olanzapine and clozapine carry the highest risk of weight gain, dyslipidaemia and diabetes, while aripiprazole and ziprasidone are relatively metabolically neutral.

Why is "Aripiprazole" not the answer?

Aripiprazole is relatively weight neutral.

Why is "Haloperidol" not the answer?

Haloperidol mainly causes EPS, with less metabolic risk.

Why is "Ziprasidone" not the answer?

Ziprasidone is relatively weight neutral.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antipsychotics: metabolic effects of atypicals in Pharmacology. Aripiprazole is a D2 partial agonist.

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: metabolic effects of atypicals?

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.