Antipsychotics: cariprazine: 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 · Antipsychotics: cariprazine

Sample item

Cariprazine and brexpiprazole are described as

ADopamine D2 and D3 partial agonistsBNMDA antagonistsCPure D2 antagonistsDSerotonin reuptake inhibitors

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Dopamine D2 and D3 partial agonists

Cariprazine is a partial agonist at D2 and D3 receptors with preference for D3, and brexpiprazole is a D2 and 5-HT1A partial agonist and 5-HT2A antagonist. Akathisia is a common adverse effect. They are used for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and as adjuncts in depression.

Option by option

A. Dopamine D2 and D3 partial agonists (correct)
Correct. They are D2 and D3 partial agonists.
B. NMDA antagonists
NMDA antagonism describes memantine and ketamine.
C. Pure D2 antagonists
Pure D2 antagonism describes haloperidol-type drugs.
D. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors
They do not primarily inhibit serotonin reuptake.

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.

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is A, Dopamine D2 and D3 partial agonists. Cariprazine is a partial agonist at D2 and D3 receptors with preference for D3, and brexpiprazole is a D2 and 5-HT1A partial agonist and 5-HT2A antagonist.

Why is "NMDA antagonists" not the answer?

NMDA antagonism describes memantine and ketamine.

Why is "Pure D2 antagonists" not the answer?

Pure D2 antagonism describes haloperidol-type drugs.

Why is "Serotonin reuptake inhibitors" not the answer?

They do not primarily inhibit serotonin reuptake.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antipsychotics: cariprazine in Psychiatry. Akathisia is a common adverse effect. They are used for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and as adjuncts in depression.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Antipsychotics: cariprazine?

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.