Psychopharmacology: topiramate adverse effects: 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.

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Psychiatry · Psychopharmacology: topiramate adverse effects

Sample item

A woman receiving an anticonvulsant as an adjunct for mood and binge eating complains of weight loss, paraesthesias, trouble finding words, and flank pain with haematuria. Which drug is most likely responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Topiramate

Topiramate causes weight loss, paraesthesias, word-finding difficulty and cognitive slowing, and by inhibiting carbonic anhydrase it causes metabolic acidosis, nephrolithiasis and rarely acute angle-closure glaucoma.

Option by option

  • A. Valproate

    Valproate usually causes weight gain, tremor and hair loss.

  • B. Topiramate (correct)

    Correct. Weight loss, cognitive slowing and kidney stones are topiramate effects.

  • C. Gabapentin

    Gabapentin causes sedation, dizziness, oedema and weight gain.

  • D. Lamotrigine

    Lamotrigine's main concern is rash, and it does not cause weight loss or stones.

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 Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Topiramate. Topiramate causes weight loss, paraesthesias, word-finding difficulty and cognitive slowing, and by inhibiting carbonic anhydrase it causes metabolic acidosis, nephrolithiasis and rarely acute angle-closure glaucoma.

Why is "Valproate" not the answer?

Valproate usually causes weight gain, tremor and hair loss.

Why is "Gabapentin" not the answer?

Gabapentin causes sedation, dizziness, oedema and weight gain.

Why is "Lamotrigine" not the answer?

Lamotrigine's main concern is rash, and it does not cause weight loss or stones.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychopharmacology: topiramate adverse effects in Psychiatry. The correct option holds because: Correct. Weight loss, cognitive slowing and kidney stones are topiramate effects.

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 Psychopharmacology: topiramate adverse effects?

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.