Psychopharmacology: levetiracetam behavioural 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: levetiracetam behavioural effects

Sample item

A patient with epilepsy is started on a new anticonvulsant. Within weeks his family reports irritability, aggression and low mood that were not there before. Which drug is the best-known cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Levetiracetam

Levetiracetam is well known for behavioural adverse effects including irritability, aggression, anxiety, depression and occasionally psychosis. Lamotrigine and carbamazepine tend to stabilise mood.

Option by option

  • A. Phenytoin

    Phenytoin chiefly causes gingival hyperplasia, hirsutism, ataxia and nystagmus.

  • B. Lamotrigine

    Lamotrigine has mood-stabilising effects and its main hazard is rash.

  • C. Carbamazepine

    Carbamazepine is a mood stabiliser; its typical problems are hyponatraemia and rash.

  • D. Levetiracetam (correct)

    Correct. Irritability and depression are characteristic of levetiracetam.

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 D, Levetiracetam. Levetiracetam is well known for behavioural adverse effects including irritability, aggression, anxiety, depression and occasionally psychosis.

Why is "Phenytoin" not the answer?

Phenytoin chiefly causes gingival hyperplasia, hirsutism, ataxia and nystagmus.

Why is "Lamotrigine" not the answer?

Lamotrigine has mood-stabilising effects and its main hazard is rash.

Why is "Carbamazepine" not the answer?

Carbamazepine is a mood stabiliser; its typical problems are hyponatraemia and rash.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychopharmacology: levetiracetam behavioural effects in Psychiatry. Lamotrigine and carbamazepine tend to stabilise mood.

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 Psychopharmacology: levetiracetam behavioural 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.