Alcohol dependence: disulfiram: 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 · Alcohol dependence: disulfiram

Sample item

A man in an alcohol de-addiction programme is started on disulfiram. What happens if he drinks alcohol?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Accumulation of acetaldehyde causing flushing, palpitations, nausea and hypotension

Disulfiram inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, so ethanol intake leads to acetaldehyde accumulation and an aversive reaction. Metronidazole, some cephalosporins and chlorpropamide can cause a similar disulfiram-like reaction. Acamprosate and naltrexone reduce craving.

Option by option

  • A. Immediate sedation and coma

    Sedation is not the mechanism.

  • B. Complete absence of effect

    The point of the drug is an aversive reaction.

  • C. Accumulation of acetaldehyde causing flushing, palpitations, nausea and hypotension (correct)

    Correct. Acetaldehyde accumulates and causes the reaction.

  • D. Seizures

    Seizures are not the characteristic reaction.

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, Accumulation of acetaldehyde causing flushing, palpitations, nausea and hypotension. Disulfiram inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, so ethanol intake leads to acetaldehyde accumulation and an aversive reaction.

Why is "Immediate sedation and coma" not the answer?

Sedation is not the mechanism.

Why is "Complete absence of effect" not the answer?

The point of the drug is an aversive reaction.

Why is "Seizures" not the answer?

Seizures are not the characteristic reaction.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Alcohol dependence: disulfiram in Pharmacology. Metronidazole, some cephalosporins and chlorpropamide can cause a similar disulfiram-like reaction. Acamprosate and naltrexone reduce craving.

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 Alcohol dependence: disulfiram?

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.