Antiepileptics: infantile spasms: 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.

Try it

Pharmacology · Antiepileptics: infantile spasms

Sample item

A 6-month-old infant with tuberous sclerosis has clusters of flexor spasms and hypsarrhythmia on EEG. Which drug from the options is preferred?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Vigabatrin

Vigabatrin irreversibly inhibits GABA transaminase and is particularly effective for infantile spasms due to tuberous sclerosis; ACTH or oral steroids are the other first-line options. Its main toxicity is irreversible bilateral visual field constriction, so vision is monitored. Sodium channel blockers do not help and can worsen spasms.

Option by option

  • A. Vigabatrin (correct)

    Vigabatrin is first-line for infantile spasms, especially in tuberous sclerosis.

  • B. Phenytoin

    Phenytoin does not treat infantile spasms.

  • C. Ethosuximide

    Ethosuximide is for absence seizures and does not control spasms.

  • D. Carbamazepine

    Carbamazepine is ineffective in infantile spasms and may aggravate them.

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 A, Vigabatrin. Vigabatrin irreversibly inhibits GABA transaminase and is particularly effective for infantile spasms due to tuberous sclerosis; ACTH or oral steroids are the other first-line options.

Why is "Phenytoin" not the answer?

Phenytoin does not treat infantile spasms.

Why is "Ethosuximide" not the answer?

Ethosuximide is for absence seizures and does not control spasms.

Why is "Carbamazepine" not the answer?

Carbamazepine is ineffective in infantile spasms and may aggravate them.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antiepileptics: infantile spasms in Pharmacology. Its main toxicity is irreversible bilateral visual field constriction, so vision is monitored. Sodium channel blockers do not help and can worsen spasms.

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 Antiepileptics: infantile spasms?

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.