Anticancer drugs: 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 · Anticancer drugs

Sample item

Why is methotrexate toxicity increased by trimethoprim?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Both impair folate metabolism

Trimethoprim and methotrexate both interfere with folate pathways, increasing risk of marrow suppression and mucositis when combined.

Option by option

  • A. Both directly activate platelets

    Platelet activation is not the interaction.

  • B. Both impair folate metabolism (correct)

    Correct: overlapping antifolate action increases toxicity.

  • C. Both cause opioid withdrawal

    Neither drug causes opioid withdrawal.

  • D. Both induce CYP3A4

    CYP induction is not the principal mechanism.

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, Both impair folate metabolism. Trimethoprim and methotrexate both interfere with folate pathways, increasing risk of marrow suppression and mucositis when combined.

Why is "Both directly activate platelets" not the answer?

Platelet activation is not the interaction.

Why is "Both cause opioid withdrawal" not the answer?

Neither drug causes opioid withdrawal.

Why is "Both induce CYP3A4" not the answer?

CYP induction is not the principal mechanism.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Anticancer drugs in Pharmacology. The correct option holds because: Correct: overlapping antifolate action increases toxicity.

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 Anticancer drugs?

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.