Immunosuppressants: practice question

A Pharmacology 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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Pharmacology · Immunosuppressants

Sample item

A renal transplant recipient on an immunosuppressant develops gum overgrowth, hirsutism and hypertension. Which drug is responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Cyclosporine

Cyclosporine inhibits calcineurin and blocks IL-2 production by T cells. Its adverse effects include nephrotoxicity, hypertension, gingival hyperplasia and hirsutism, whereas tacrolimus rarely causes the last two.

Option by option

  • A. Tacrolimus

    Tacrolimus is also a calcineurin inhibitor but causes neurotoxicity and diabetes more than hirsutism or gum overgrowth.

  • B. Mycophenolate mofetil

    Mycophenolate mainly causes gastrointestinal upset and cytopenias.

  • C. Cyclosporine (correct)

    Gingival hyperplasia, hirsutism and hypertension are typical cyclosporine effects.

  • D. Azathioprine

    Azathioprine mainly causes marrow suppression and hepatotoxicity.

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 Pharmacology questions

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is C, Cyclosporine. Cyclosporine inhibits calcineurin and blocks IL-2 production by T cells.

Why is "Tacrolimus" not the answer?

Tacrolimus is also a calcineurin inhibitor but causes neurotoxicity and diabetes more than hirsutism or gum overgrowth.

Why is "Mycophenolate mofetil" not the answer?

Mycophenolate mainly causes gastrointestinal upset and cytopenias.

Why is "Azathioprine" not the answer?

Azathioprine mainly causes marrow suppression and hepatotoxicity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Immunosuppressants in Pharmacology. Its adverse effects include nephrotoxicity, hypertension, gingival hyperplasia and hirsutism, whereas tacrolimus rarely causes the last two.

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 Immunosuppressants?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology 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.