Antivirals: influenza drugs: 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 · Antivirals: influenza drugs

Sample item

A healthy adult presents on day 1 of influenza with a high fever. Which agent, a neuraminidase inhibitor, is best started within 48 hours of onset?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Oseltamivir

Oseltamivir blocks viral neuraminidase and prevents release of virions, and it works best if started within 48 hours. Baloxavir is a different drug that inhibits cap-dependent endonuclease. Amantadine is not used because of resistance.

Option by option

  • A. Amantadine

    Amantadine has widespread resistance.

  • B. Oseltamivir (correct)

    Correct. Oseltamivir is the neuraminidase inhibitor.

  • C. Baloxavir marboxil, as a neuraminidase inhibitor

    Baloxavir inhibits cap-dependent endonuclease, not neuraminidase.

  • D. Ribavirin

    Ribavirin is not standard for influenza.

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 B, Oseltamivir. Oseltamivir blocks viral neuraminidase and prevents release of virions, and it works best if started within 48 hours.

Why is "Amantadine" not the answer?

Amantadine has widespread resistance.

Why is "Baloxavir marboxil, as a neuraminidase inhibitor" not the answer?

Baloxavir inhibits cap-dependent endonuclease, not neuraminidase.

Why is "Ribavirin" not the answer?

Ribavirin is not standard for influenza.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antivirals: influenza drugs in Pharmacology. Baloxavir is a different drug that inhibits cap-dependent endonuclease. Amantadine is not used because of resistance.

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 Antivirals: influenza drugs?

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.