Antipsychotics: chlorpromazine adverse effects: 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: chlorpromazine adverse effects

Sample item

A patient on long-term chlorpromazine develops jaundice with pruritus and a cholestatic pattern, along with photosensitivity and corneal deposits. Which statement is correct?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. These are recognised adverse effects of phenothiazines

Chlorpromazine can cause cholestatic jaundice, photosensitivity, blue-grey skin pigmentation, lenticular and corneal deposits, sedation, hypotension and lowered seizure threshold. It blocks D2, alpha-1, H1 and muscarinic receptors.

Option by option

  • A. These are due to dopamine agonism

    The drug is an antagonist, not an agonist.

  • B. These are recognised adverse effects of phenothiazines (correct)

    Correct. They are known phenothiazine effects.

  • C. Cholestasis is impossible with antipsychotics

    Cholestatic jaundice is documented.

  • D. Photosensitivity excludes drug causation

    Photosensitivity is a recognised effect.

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, These are recognised adverse effects of phenothiazines. Chlorpromazine can cause cholestatic jaundice, photosensitivity, blue-grey skin pigmentation, lenticular and corneal deposits, sedation, hypotension and lowered seizure threshold.

Why is "These are due to dopamine agonism" not the answer?

The drug is an antagonist, not an agonist.

Why is "Cholestasis is impossible with antipsychotics" not the answer?

Cholestatic jaundice is documented.

Why is "Photosensitivity excludes drug causation" not the answer?

Photosensitivity is a recognised effect.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antipsychotics: chlorpromazine adverse effects in Pharmacology. It blocks D2, alpha-1, H1 and muscarinic receptors.

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: chlorpromazine adverse effects?

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.