Antidiabetics: meglitinides: 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.

Try it

Pharmacology · Antidiabetics: meglitinides

Sample item

Repaglinide and nateglinide are insulin secretagogues. Which characteristic distinguishes them from sulfonylureas?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. They have rapid onset and short duration, and are taken just before meals to reduce postprandial glucose

Meglitinides close the same K-ATP channel on the beta cell but bind a different site, and are rapidly absorbed with a short action, so they are taken with meals, with a lower risk of prolonged hypoglycaemia. They are useful in erratic eaters and in renal impairment.

Option by option

  • A. They have rapid onset and short duration, and are taken just before meals to reduce postprandial glucose (correct)

    Correct. Short-acting prandial secretagogues.

  • B. They are long acting and taken once daily

    They are short acting and taken with meals.

  • C. They act by activating PPAR-gamma

    PPAR-gamma activation is the action of glitazones.

  • D. They inhibit DPP-4

    DPP-4 inhibition describes gliptins.

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 A, They have rapid onset and short duration, and are taken just before meals to reduce postprandial glucose. Meglitinides close the same K-ATP channel on the beta cell but bind a different site, and are rapidly absorbed with a short action, so they are taken with meals, with a lower risk of prolonged hypoglycaemia.

Why is "They are long acting and taken once daily" not the answer?

They are short acting and taken with meals.

Why is "They act by activating PPAR-gamma" not the answer?

PPAR-gamma activation is the action of glitazones.

Why is "They inhibit DPP-4" not the answer?

DPP-4 inhibition describes gliptins.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antidiabetics: meglitinides in Pharmacology. They are useful in erratic eaters and in renal impairment.

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 Antidiabetics: meglitinides?

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.