Toxicology: thalassaemia chelators: 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 · Toxicology: thalassaemia chelators

Sample item

A transfusion-dependent thalassaemia patient on an oral iron chelator develops fever and a neutrophil count of 0.3 thousand per microlitre. Which drug is responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Deferiprone

Deferiprone is an oral iron chelator causing agranulocytosis, requiring weekly blood counts. Deferasirox is an oral chelator with renal and hepatic toxicity, and deferoxamine is given subcutaneously or intravenously.

Option by option

  • A. Deferoxamine

    Deferoxamine causes ototoxicity and retinal effects.

  • B. Deferiprone (correct)

    Correct. Agranulocytosis is the characteristic risk of deferiprone.

  • C. Penicillamine

    Penicillamine is used for Wilson disease.

  • D. Deferasirox

    Deferasirox is associated with renal and hepatic toxicity.

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 B, Deferiprone. Deferiprone is an oral iron chelator causing agranulocytosis, requiring weekly blood counts.

Why is "Deferoxamine" not the answer?

Deferoxamine causes ototoxicity and retinal effects.

Why is "Penicillamine" not the answer?

Penicillamine is used for Wilson disease.

Why is "Deferasirox" not the answer?

Deferasirox is associated with renal and hepatic toxicity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology: thalassaemia chelators in Pharmacology. Deferasirox is an oral chelator with renal and hepatic toxicity, and deferoxamine is given subcutaneously or intravenously.

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 Toxicology: thalassaemia chelators?

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.