Fungal infections: itraconazole: 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 · Fungal infections: itraconazole

Sample item

Which advice is correct for a patient taking itraconazole capsules for tinea?

AIt can be safely combined with simvastatinBTake together with proton pump inhibitorsCTake with a full meal, and avoid in congestive cardiac failureDTake on an empty stomach with antacids

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Take with a full meal, and avoid in congestive cardiac failure

Itraconazole capsules need gastric acid and food for absorption, whereas antacids and proton pump inhibitors reduce it. It has negative inotropic effects, is a CYP3A4 inhibitor and raises levels of statins such as simvastatin.

Option by option

A. It can be safely combined with simvastatin
Itraconazole increases simvastatin levels and risks rhabdomyolysis.
B. Take together with proton pump inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors reduce gastric acidity and absorption.
C. Take with a full meal, and avoid in congestive cardiac failure (correct)
Correct. Food improves absorption, and heart failure is a contraindication.
D. Take on an empty stomach with antacids
Antacids reduce absorption of the capsules.

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.

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is C, Take with a full meal, and avoid in congestive cardiac failure. Itraconazole capsules need gastric acid and food for absorption, whereas antacids and proton pump inhibitors reduce it.

Why is "It can be safely combined with simvastatin" not the answer?

Itraconazole increases simvastatin levels and risks rhabdomyolysis.

Why is "Take together with proton pump inhibitors" not the answer?

Proton pump inhibitors reduce gastric acidity and absorption.

Why is "Take on an empty stomach with antacids" not the answer?

Antacids reduce absorption of the capsules.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Fungal infections: itraconazole in Dermatology. It has negative inotropic effects, is a CYP3A4 inhibitor and raises levels of statins such as simvastatin.

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 Fungal infections: itraconazole?

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.