Antitubercular drugs: NTEP regimen: 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 · Antitubercular drugs: NTEP regimen

Sample item

In India, a new adult patient with drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis is started on the national programme regimen. Which describes it?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Daily fixed-dose HRZE for two months, then HRE for four months

The NTEP uses daily weight-band fixed-dose combinations of isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol for the two-month intensive phase and isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol for the four-month continuation phase. Intermittent regimens were replaced by daily dosing.

Option by option

  • A. HRZE for six months

    Pyrazinamide is not given for the full six months.

  • B. Daily fixed-dose HRZE for two months, then HRE for four months (correct)

    Correct. Two months of HRZE then four months of HRE, daily.

  • C. Isoniazid alone for six months

    Monotherapy would promote resistance.

  • D. Thrice-weekly regimen for six months

    Thrice-weekly dosing is no longer used.

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, Daily fixed-dose HRZE for two months, then HRE for four months. The NTEP uses daily weight-band fixed-dose combinations of isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol for the two-month intensive phase and isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol for the four-month continuation phase.

Why is "HRZE for six months" not the answer?

Pyrazinamide is not given for the full six months.

Why is "Isoniazid alone for six months" not the answer?

Monotherapy would promote resistance.

Why is "Thrice-weekly regimen for six months" not the answer?

Thrice-weekly dosing is no longer used.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antitubercular drugs: NTEP regimen in Pharmacology. Intermittent regimens were replaced by daily dosing.

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 Antitubercular drugs: NTEP regimen?

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.