Mood disorders: drug-induced depression: 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 · Mood disorders: drug-induced depression

Sample item

A 17-year-old on treatment for severe nodulocystic acne develops low mood, irritability and passive thoughts of death over two months. Which drug is the most likely contributor?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Oral isotretinoin

Oral isotretinoin has been associated with depression, mood change and suicidal ideation, so patients need monitoring and the drug may need to be stopped. Doxycycline and topical agents are not recognised causes of mood disturbance.

Option by option

  • A. Topical benzoyl peroxide

    Benzoyl peroxide acts locally and has no psychiatric effect.

  • B. Oral isotretinoin (correct)

    Correct. Isotretinoin is the acne drug linked to mood disturbance and suicidality.

  • C. Oral doxycycline

    Doxycycline causes photosensitivity and gastric upset, not depression.

  • D. Topical adapalene

    Adapalene is a topical retinoid with negligible systemic absorption.

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 B, Oral isotretinoin. Oral isotretinoin has been associated with depression, mood change and suicidal ideation, so patients need monitoring and the drug may need to be stopped.

Why is "Topical benzoyl peroxide" not the answer?

Benzoyl peroxide acts locally and has no psychiatric effect.

Why is "Oral doxycycline" not the answer?

Doxycycline causes photosensitivity and gastric upset, not depression.

Why is "Topical adapalene" not the answer?

Adapalene is a topical retinoid with negligible systemic absorption.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mood disorders: drug-induced depression in Psychiatry. Doxycycline and topical agents are not recognised causes of mood disturbance.

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 Mood disorders: drug-induced depression?

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.