Antipsychotics: clozapine side 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 · Antipsychotics: clozapine side effects

Sample item

A patient on clozapine has troublesome drooling at night. Which statement is correct?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Sialorrhoea is common and may be treated with hyoscine or amisulpride

Clozapine causes hypersalivation, probably through muscarinic M4 agonism and impaired swallowing. It is managed with anticholinergics such as hyoscine, glycopyrronium, or low-dose amisulpride, and by sleeping with a towel.

Option by option

  • A. It resolves only if the drug is stopped

    It usually does not require stopping the drug.

  • B. Sialorrhoea indicates agranulocytosis

    It does not indicate agranulocytosis.

  • C. It is due to dopamine excess

    Dopamine excess is not the cause.

  • D. Sialorrhoea is common and may be treated with hyoscine or amisulpride (correct)

    Correct. Hyoscine and related measures help.

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, Sialorrhoea is common and may be treated with hyoscine or amisulpride. Clozapine causes hypersalivation, probably through muscarinic M4 agonism and impaired swallowing.

Why is "It resolves only if the drug is stopped" not the answer?

It usually does not require stopping the drug.

Why is "Sialorrhoea indicates agranulocytosis" not the answer?

It does not indicate agranulocytosis.

Why is "It is due to dopamine excess" not the answer?

Dopamine excess is not the cause.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antipsychotics: clozapine side effects in Psychiatry. It is managed with anticholinergics such as hyoscine, glycopyrronium, or low-dose amisulpride, and by sleeping with a towel.

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 Antipsychotics: clozapine side 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.