Child psychiatry: atomoxetine: practice question

A Psychiatry 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

Psychiatry · Child psychiatry: atomoxetine

Sample item

A 10-year-old with ADHD and tics has worsening tics on methylphenidate. Which non-stimulant is a reasonable alternative?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Atomoxetine

Atomoxetine is a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor with no abuse potential and is a non-stimulant option for ADHD. Alpha-2 agonists such as clonidine and guanfacine are also used. Adverse effects include nausea, appetite loss and rarely hepatotoxicity and suicidal ideation.

Option by option

  • A. Atomoxetine (correct)

    Correct. Atomoxetine is a non-stimulant treatment for ADHD.

  • B. Diazepam

    Diazepam can cause disinhibition and does not treat ADHD.

  • C. Dextroamphetamine at higher dose

    Higher-dose amphetamine worsens tics and appetite loss.

  • D. Haloperidol alone

    Haloperidol alone does not treat ADHD.

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 Psychiatry questions

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is A, Atomoxetine. Atomoxetine is a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor with no abuse potential and is a non-stimulant option for ADHD.

Why is "Diazepam" not the answer?

Diazepam can cause disinhibition and does not treat ADHD.

Why is "Dextroamphetamine at higher dose" not the answer?

Higher-dose amphetamine worsens tics and appetite loss.

Why is "Haloperidol alone" not the answer?

Haloperidol alone does not treat ADHD.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Child psychiatry: atomoxetine in Psychiatry. Alpha-2 agonists such as clonidine and guanfacine are also used. Adverse effects include nausea, appetite loss and rarely hepatotoxicity and suicidal ideation.

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 Child psychiatry: atomoxetine?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry 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.