Leprosy: steroid-sparing drug in chronic ENL: practice question

A Dermatology 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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Dermatology · Leprosy: steroid-sparing drug in chronic ENL

Sample item

A lepromatous patient has recurrent erythema nodosum leprosum that returns every time prednisolone is tapered, and thalidomide cannot be used. Which antileprosy drug with anti-inflammatory action is added to spare the steroid?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Clofazimine

Clofazimine has an anti-inflammatory effect in addition to its antibacterial action, and higher doses are used for chronic or steroid-dependent ENL. Its effect takes weeks to appear, so it is started early and given with steroids at first.

Option by option

  • A. Clofazimine (correct)

    Correct. Clofazimine is the antileprosy drug with a useful steroid-sparing anti-inflammatory action.

  • B. Rifampicin

    Rifampicin is bactericidal but does not suppress the immune-complex inflammation of ENL.

  • C. Dapsone

    Dapsone is a bacteriostatic sulfone without a role in controlling ENL.

  • D. Ofloxacin

    Ofloxacin is a second-line bactericidal agent and has no established anti-ENL action.

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 Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is A, Clofazimine. Clofazimine has an anti-inflammatory effect in addition to its antibacterial action, and higher doses are used for chronic or steroid-dependent ENL.

Why is "Rifampicin" not the answer?

Rifampicin is bactericidal but does not suppress the immune-complex inflammation of ENL.

Why is "Dapsone" not the answer?

Dapsone is a bacteriostatic sulfone without a role in controlling ENL.

Why is "Ofloxacin" not the answer?

Ofloxacin is a second-line bactericidal agent and has no established anti-ENL action.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Leprosy: steroid-sparing drug in chronic ENL in Dermatology. Its effect takes weeks to appear, so it is started early and given with steroids at first.

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 Leprosy: steroid-sparing drug in chronic ENL?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology 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.