Papulosquamous disorders: drugs aggravating psoriasis: 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 · Papulosquamous disorders: drugs aggravating psoriasis

Sample item

A man with stable plaque psoriasis flares after starting a new antihypertensive. Which drug is most likely responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Propranolol

Beta-blockers, lithium, antimalarials, ACE inhibitors, NSAIDs and interferons can trigger or worsen psoriasis, as can abrupt withdrawal of systemic steroids. Methotrexate, ciclosporin and acitretin are used to treat it.

Option by option

  • A. Propranolol (correct)

    Correct. Beta-blockers are a classic precipitant.

  • B. Methotrexate

    Methotrexate is an effective antipsoriatic drug.

  • C. Acitretin

    Acitretin is a retinoid used for psoriasis.

  • D. Ciclosporin

    Ciclosporin is an effective antipsoriatic drug.

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, Propranolol. Beta-blockers, lithium, antimalarials, ACE inhibitors, NSAIDs and interferons can trigger or worsen psoriasis, as can abrupt withdrawal of systemic steroids.

Why is "Methotrexate" not the answer?

Methotrexate is an effective antipsoriatic drug.

Why is "Acitretin" not the answer?

Acitretin is a retinoid used for psoriasis.

Why is "Ciclosporin" not the answer?

Ciclosporin is an effective antipsoriatic drug.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Papulosquamous disorders: drugs aggravating psoriasis in Dermatology. Methotrexate, ciclosporin and acitretin are used to treat it.

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 Papulosquamous disorders: drugs aggravating psoriasis?

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.