Antivirals: COVID-19 drugs: 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.

Try it

Pharmacology · Antivirals: COVID-19 drugs

Sample item

Nirmatrelvir, combined with ritonavir, is used in early COVID-19. What is its mechanism?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, with ritonavir boosting its levels via CYP3A4 inhibition

Nirmatrelvir inhibits the viral 3CL main protease, and ritonavir inhibits CYP3A4 to maintain nirmatrelvir exposure, creating several interactions. Remdesivir is the intravenous RNA polymerase inhibitor.

Option by option

  • A. Inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, with ritonavir boosting its levels via CYP3A4 inhibition (correct)

    Correct. Protease inhibition, boosted by ritonavir.

  • B. Inhibition of neuraminidase

    Neuraminidase inhibition is for influenza.

  • C. Blocking the ACE2 receptor

    It does not block ACE2.

  • D. Inhibition of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

    RNA polymerase inhibition describes remdesivir.

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.

More Pharmacology questions

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is A, Inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, with ritonavir boosting its levels via CYP3A4 inhibition. Nirmatrelvir inhibits the viral 3CL main protease, and ritonavir inhibits CYP3A4 to maintain nirmatrelvir exposure, creating several interactions.

Why is "Inhibition of neuraminidase" not the answer?

Neuraminidase inhibition is for influenza.

Why is "Blocking the ACE2 receptor" not the answer?

It does not block ACE2.

Why is "Inhibition of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase" not the answer?

RNA polymerase inhibition describes remdesivir.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antivirals: COVID-19 drugs in Pharmacology. Remdesivir is the intravenous RNA polymerase inhibitor.

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 Antivirals: COVID-19 drugs?

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.