Toxicology: methanol antidote: practice question

A Forensic Medicine 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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Forensic Medicine · Toxicology: methanol antidote

Sample item

A patient with methanol poisoning has an anion gap acidosis and visual loss. Which drug is given to block the conversion of methanol into its toxic metabolite?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Fomepizole

Fomepizole competitively inhibits alcohol dehydrogenase, so methanol is not converted into formic acid. Ethanol is an alternative that competes for the same enzyme. Dialysis removes methanol and formate in severe cases.

Option by option

  • A. N-acetylcysteine

    N-acetylcysteine is the antidote for paracetamol poisoning.

  • B. Pralidoxime

    Pralidoxime reactivates cholinesterase in organophosphate poisoning.

  • C. Fomepizole (correct)

    Correct. Fomepizole inhibits alcohol dehydrogenase.

  • D. Hydroxocobalamin

    Hydroxocobalamin is an antidote for cyanide poisoning.

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.

More Forensic Medicine questions

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Fomepizole. Fomepizole competitively inhibits alcohol dehydrogenase, so methanol is not converted into formic acid.

Why is "N-acetylcysteine" not the answer?

N-acetylcysteine is the antidote for paracetamol poisoning.

Why is "Pralidoxime" not the answer?

Pralidoxime reactivates cholinesterase in organophosphate poisoning.

Why is "Hydroxocobalamin" not the answer?

Hydroxocobalamin is an antidote for cyanide poisoning.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology: methanol antidote in Forensic Medicine. Ethanol is an alternative that competes for the same enzyme. Dialysis removes methanol and formate in severe cases.

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 Toxicology: methanol antidote?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine 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.