Immunosuppressants: mycophenolate: 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 · Immunosuppressants: mycophenolate

Sample item

A renal transplant recipient is on mycophenolate mofetil. What is its mechanism and a key risk?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Inhibition of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, with gastrointestinal upset, leukopenia and teratogenicity

Mycophenolic acid inhibits IMPDH and so de novo guanosine synthesis, selectively hitting lymphocytes. Adverse effects include diarrhoea, marrow suppression and pregnancy loss and malformations.

Option by option

  • A. Blockade of IL-2 receptor

    IL-2 receptor blockade describes basiliximab.

  • B. Inhibition of calcineurin, with nephrotoxicity

    Calcineurin inhibition describes tacrolimus and cyclosporine.

  • C. Inhibition of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, with gastrointestinal upset, leukopenia and teratogenicity (correct)

    Correct. IMPDH inhibition with the stated toxicities.

  • D. Inhibition of mTOR, with hyperlipidaemia

    mTOR inhibition describes sirolimus.

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 C, Inhibition of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, with gastrointestinal upset, leukopenia and teratogenicity. Mycophenolic acid inhibits IMPDH and so de novo guanosine synthesis, selectively hitting lymphocytes.

Why is "Blockade of IL-2 receptor" not the answer?

IL-2 receptor blockade describes basiliximab.

Why is "Inhibition of calcineurin, with nephrotoxicity" not the answer?

Calcineurin inhibition describes tacrolimus and cyclosporine.

Why is "Inhibition of mTOR, with hyperlipidaemia" not the answer?

mTOR inhibition describes sirolimus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Immunosuppressants: mycophenolate in Pharmacology. Adverse effects include diarrhoea, marrow suppression and pregnancy loss and malformations.

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 Immunosuppressants: mycophenolate?

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.