Diuretics: spironolactone: 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 · Diuretics: spironolactone

Sample item

A man taking spironolactone for heart failure develops breast tenderness and enlargement. Which property of spironolactone accounts for this adverse effect?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. It antagonises androgen receptors and alters steroid synthesis

Spironolactone has antiandrogenic and progestogenic activity, producing gynecomastia and sexual adverse effects. Eplerenone is more selective for the mineralocorticoid receptor.

Option by option

  • A. It antagonises androgen receptors and alters steroid synthesis (correct)

    Correct. Antiandrogen effects explain gynecomastia.

  • B. It blocks sodium-glucose cotransporter 2

    SGLT2 inhibitors work in the proximal tubule.

  • C. It inhibits carbonic anhydrase

    Acetazolamide inhibits carbonic anhydrase.

  • D. It stimulates vasopressin V2 receptors

    V2 stimulation is the action of desmopressin.

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 A, It antagonises androgen receptors and alters steroid synthesis. Spironolactone has antiandrogenic and progestogenic activity, producing gynecomastia and sexual adverse effects.

Why is "It blocks sodium-glucose cotransporter 2" not the answer?

SGLT2 inhibitors work in the proximal tubule.

Why is "It inhibits carbonic anhydrase" not the answer?

Acetazolamide inhibits carbonic anhydrase.

Why is "It stimulates vasopressin V2 receptors" not the answer?

V2 stimulation is the action of desmopressin.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Diuretics: spironolactone in Pharmacology. Eplerenone is more selective for the mineralocorticoid receptor.

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 Diuretics: spironolactone?

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.