Antiretrovirals: first-line ART in India: 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 · Antiretrovirals: first-line ART in India

Sample item

A newly diagnosed adult with HIV without comorbidity starts first-line therapy under the national programme. Which fixed-dose combination is recommended?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Tenofovir, lamivudine and dolutegravir

The national programme uses the once-daily fixed-dose combination of tenofovir, lamivudine and dolutegravir, an integrase strand transfer inhibitor with a high barrier to resistance. It replaced efavirenz-based regimens.

Option by option

  • A. Tenofovir, lamivudine and dolutegravir (correct)

    Correct. TLD is the first-line regimen.

  • B. Zidovudine, lamivudine and nevirapine

    That is an older regimen.

  • C. Stavudine, lamivudine and efavirenz

    Stavudine is no longer used.

  • D. Lopinavir-ritonavir and abacavir

    That is a second-line style regimen.

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 A, Tenofovir, lamivudine and dolutegravir. The national programme uses the once-daily fixed-dose combination of tenofovir, lamivudine and dolutegravir, an integrase strand transfer inhibitor with a high barrier to resistance.

Why is "Zidovudine, lamivudine and nevirapine" not the answer?

That is an older regimen.

Why is "Stavudine, lamivudine and efavirenz" not the answer?

Stavudine is no longer used.

Why is "Lopinavir-ritonavir and abacavir" not the answer?

That is a second-line style regimen.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antiretrovirals: first-line ART in India in Pharmacology. It replaced efavirenz-based regimens.

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 Antiretrovirals: first-line ART in India?

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.