Psychopharmacology: treatment of drug-induced parkinsonism: 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 · Psychopharmacology: treatment of drug-induced parkinsonism

Sample item

A 70-year-old man on haloperidol develops tremor and rigidity. He has benign prostatic hypertrophy with urinary retention, so an anticholinergic is unsuitable. Which drug can treat the parkinsonism?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Amantadine

Amantadine, a dopaminergic and NMDA-blocking drug, treats antipsychotic-induced parkinsonism without strong anticholinergic effects. Trihexyphenidyl and benztropine are anticholinergics and worsen retention and confusion in the elderly.

Option by option

  • A. Amantadine (correct)

    Correct. Amantadine helps parkinsonism without marked anticholinergic action.

  • B. Trihexyphenidyl

    Trihexyphenidyl is anticholinergic and will aggravate urinary retention.

  • C. Benztropine

    Benztropine is anticholinergic and carries the same risk of retention.

  • D. Lorazepam

    Lorazepam treats akathisia or catatonia but not parkinsonian rigidity.

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 A, Amantadine. Amantadine, a dopaminergic and NMDA-blocking drug, treats antipsychotic-induced parkinsonism without strong anticholinergic effects.

Why is "Trihexyphenidyl" not the answer?

Trihexyphenidyl is anticholinergic and will aggravate urinary retention.

Why is "Benztropine" not the answer?

Benztropine is anticholinergic and carries the same risk of retention.

Why is "Lorazepam" not the answer?

Lorazepam treats akathisia or catatonia but not parkinsonian rigidity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychopharmacology: treatment of drug-induced parkinsonism in Psychiatry. Trihexyphenidyl and benztropine are anticholinergics and worsen retention and confusion in the elderly.

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 Psychopharmacology: treatment of drug-induced parkinsonism?

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.