Neuro drugs: narcolepsy: 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 · Neuro drugs: narcolepsy

Sample item

A young man with narcolepsy with cataplexy has excessive daytime sleepiness. Which agent promotes wakefulness, and which agent treats cataplexy?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Modafinil for sleepiness and sodium oxybate for cataplexy

Modafinil promotes wakefulness through dopamine transporter and orexin pathways and has less abuse potential than amphetamines. Sodium oxybate, a GABA-B agonist, reduces cataplexy and consolidates night sleep.

Option by option

  • A. Zolpidem for sleepiness and modafinil for cataplexy

    Zolpidem is a hypnotic.

  • B. Haloperidol for both

    Haloperidol is an antipsychotic.

  • C. Modafinil for sleepiness and sodium oxybate for cataplexy (correct)

    Correct. Modafinil for wakefulness and oxybate for cataplexy.

  • D. Diazepam for both

    Diazepam worsens sedation.

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 C, Modafinil for sleepiness and sodium oxybate for cataplexy. Modafinil promotes wakefulness through dopamine transporter and orexin pathways and has less abuse potential than amphetamines.

Why is "Zolpidem for sleepiness and modafinil for cataplexy" not the answer?

Zolpidem is a hypnotic.

Why is "Haloperidol for both" not the answer?

Haloperidol is an antipsychotic.

Why is "Diazepam for both" not the answer?

Diazepam worsens sedation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuro drugs: narcolepsy in Pharmacology. Sodium oxybate, a GABA-B agonist, reduces cataplexy and consolidates night sleep.

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 Neuro drugs: narcolepsy?

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.