Antipsychotics: thioridazine: 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 · Antipsychotics: thioridazine

Sample item

A phenothiazine given in high doses is known to cause pigmentary retinopathy and marked QT prolongation. It is:

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Thioridazine

Thioridazine causes dose-dependent pigmentary retinopathy (above about 800 mg per day), and carries the greatest QTc prolongation among phenothiazines, so it is rarely used now. Chlorpromazine rather causes corneal and lens deposits.

Option by option

  • A. Trifluoperazine

    Trifluoperazine is a high-potency drug with EPS as the main problem.

  • B. Fluphenazine

    Fluphenazine is a high-potency phenothiazine with mainly EPS.

  • C. Thioridazine (correct)

    Correct. Thioridazine is linked to retinopathy and QT prolongation.

  • D. Haloperidol

    Haloperidol is a butyrophenone and does not cause retinopathy.

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 C, Thioridazine. Thioridazine causes dose-dependent pigmentary retinopathy (above about 800 mg per day), and carries the greatest QTc prolongation among phenothiazines, so it is rarely used now.

Why is "Trifluoperazine" not the answer?

Trifluoperazine is a high-potency drug with EPS as the main problem.

Why is "Fluphenazine" not the answer?

Fluphenazine is a high-potency phenothiazine with mainly EPS.

Why is "Haloperidol" not the answer?

Haloperidol is a butyrophenone and does not cause retinopathy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antipsychotics: thioridazine in Psychiatry. Chlorpromazine rather causes corneal and lens deposits.

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 Antipsychotics: thioridazine?

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.