Antiplatelets: cilostazol: 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 · Antiplatelets: cilostazol

Sample item

A patient with intermittent claudication is started on cilostazol. Which condition is a contraindication?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Heart failure of any severity

Cilostazol and other PDE3 inhibitors raise cAMP, giving antiplatelet and vasodilator action, but they have been associated with increased mortality in heart failure and so carry a contraindication in it. Dipyridamole inhibits adenosine uptake and phosphodiesterase.

Option by option

  • A. Hyperlipidaemia

    Hyperlipidaemia is not a contraindication.

  • B. Heart failure of any severity (correct)

    Correct. PDE3 inhibitors are contraindicated in heart failure.

  • C. Hypertension

    Hypertension is not a contraindication.

  • D. Diabetes mellitus

    Diabetes is not a contraindication.

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, Heart failure of any severity. Cilostazol and other PDE3 inhibitors raise cAMP, giving antiplatelet and vasodilator action, but they have been associated with increased mortality in heart failure and so carry a contraindication in it.

Why is "Hyperlipidaemia" not the answer?

Hyperlipidaemia is not a contraindication.

Why is "Hypertension" not the answer?

Hypertension is not a contraindication.

Why is "Diabetes mellitus" not the answer?

Diabetes is not a contraindication.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antiplatelets: cilostazol in Pharmacology. Dipyridamole inhibits adenosine uptake and phosphodiesterase.

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 Antiplatelets: cilostazol?

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.