Substance use: naltrexone: 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 · Substance use: naltrexone

Sample item

Naltrexone is useful in both alcohol dependence and opioid dependence because it:

AIs a partial agonist at mu receptorsBInhibits aldehyde dehydrogenaseCIs an opioid receptor antagonist that reduces craving and rewardDIs a mu agonist

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Is an opioid receptor antagonist that reduces craving and reward

Naltrexone blocks mu opioid receptors, reducing reinforcing effects of alcohol and blocking opioid effect after detoxification. It precipitates withdrawal in persons still dependent on opioids and is hepatotoxic at high doses.

Option by option

A. Is a partial agonist at mu receptors
Buprenorphine is the partial agonist.
B. Inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase
That is the action of disulfiram.
C. Is an opioid receptor antagonist that reduces craving and reward (correct)
Correct. It is an opioid antagonist.
D. Is a mu agonist
Methadone is the full mu agonist.

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 Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, Is an opioid receptor antagonist that reduces craving and reward. Naltrexone blocks mu opioid receptors, reducing reinforcing effects of alcohol and blocking opioid effect after detoxification.

Why is "Is a partial agonist at mu receptors" not the answer?

Buprenorphine is the partial agonist.

Why is "Inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase" not the answer?

That is the action of disulfiram.

Why is "Is a mu agonist" not the answer?

Methadone is the full mu agonist.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Substance use: naltrexone in Psychiatry. It precipitates withdrawal in persons still dependent on opioids and is hepatotoxic at high doses.

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 Substance use: naltrexone?

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.