Endocrine drugs: mifepristone: 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 · Endocrine drugs: mifepristone

Sample item

How does mifepristone act when used with misoprostol for medical termination of early pregnancy?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. It antagonises progesterone receptors, sensitising the uterus to prostaglandin-induced contractions

Mifepristone is a progesterone receptor antagonist that causes decidual breakdown and cervical softening, and misoprostol given 24 to 48 hours later induces uterine contraction. The regimen is legal in India up to nine weeks.

Option by option

  • A. It stimulates oxytocin release

    It does not stimulate oxytocin release.

  • B. It blocks oestrogen receptors

    It is not an oestrogen antagonist.

  • C. It antagonises progesterone receptors, sensitising the uterus to prostaglandin-induced contractions (correct)

    Correct. Progesterone antagonism sensitises the uterus.

  • D. It is a prostaglandin that causes contraction

    Misoprostol is the prostaglandin.

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 C, It antagonises progesterone receptors, sensitising the uterus to prostaglandin-induced contractions. Mifepristone is a progesterone receptor antagonist that causes decidual breakdown and cervical softening, and misoprostol given 24 to 48 hours later induces uterine contraction.

Why is "It stimulates oxytocin release" not the answer?

It does not stimulate oxytocin release.

Why is "It blocks oestrogen receptors" not the answer?

It is not an oestrogen antagonist.

Why is "It is a prostaglandin that causes contraction" not the answer?

Misoprostol is the prostaglandin.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrine drugs: mifepristone in Pharmacology. The regimen is legal in India up to nine weeks.

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 Endocrine drugs: mifepristone?

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.