Leprosy: hepatitis during multidrug therapy: practice question

A Dermatology 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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Dermatology · Leprosy: hepatitis during multidrug therapy

Sample item

A multibacillary leprosy patient on rifampicin, clofazimine and dapsone develops jaundice and markedly raised transaminases in the second month. After stopping the drugs and stabilisation, which regimen can be used while the liver recovers?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Second-line drugs such as ofloxacin and minocycline

Rifampicin and dapsone are the usual culprits of drug-induced hepatitis. A regimen of second-line drugs such as ofloxacin, minocycline and clofazimine keeps treatment going until the liver recovers.

Option by option

  • A. Rifampicin at a higher dose

    A higher rifampicin dose would worsen hepatic injury.

  • B. Second-line drugs such as ofloxacin and minocycline (correct)

    Correct. Second-line drugs such as ofloxacin and minocycline are used until the liver recovers.

  • C. No treatment until the lesions resolve

    Withholding all treatment risks progression and reactions.

  • D. Dapsone alone

    Dapsone alone is inadequate monotherapy and can also be hepatotoxic.

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 Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is B, Second-line drugs such as ofloxacin and minocycline. Rifampicin and dapsone are the usual culprits of drug-induced hepatitis.

Why is "Rifampicin at a higher dose" not the answer?

A higher rifampicin dose would worsen hepatic injury.

Why is "No treatment until the lesions resolve" not the answer?

Withholding all treatment risks progression and reactions.

Why is "Dapsone alone" not the answer?

Dapsone alone is inadequate monotherapy and can also be hepatotoxic.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Leprosy: hepatitis during multidrug therapy in Dermatology. A regimen of second-line drugs such as ofloxacin, minocycline and clofazimine keeps treatment going until the liver recovers.

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 Leprosy: hepatitis during multidrug therapy?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology 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.