Endocrine drugs: diazoxide in hyperinsulinism: 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 · Endocrine drugs: diazoxide in hyperinsulinism

Sample item

An infant with persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia is started on an oral drug that opens ATP-sensitive potassium channels on beta cells. Which adverse effect should the parents be warned about?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Hypertrichosis with sodium and water retention

Diazoxide opens beta-cell K-ATP channels, which hyperpolarises the cell and stops insulin release. It also relaxes vascular smooth muscle, so sodium and water retention, hypotension and hypertrichosis are typical. It is used for hyperinsulinism and was once used for hypertensive emergencies.

Option by option

  • A. Pancreatitis

    Pancreatitis is a concern with GLP-1 receptor agonists, not diazoxide.

  • B. Hypertrichosis with sodium and water retention (correct)

    Correct. Hirsutism and fluid retention are the common adverse effects of this channel opener.

  • C. Lactic acidosis

    Lactic acidosis is associated with metformin.

  • D. Gallstones

    Gallstones are associated with octreotide and fibrates.

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 Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is B, Hypertrichosis with sodium and water retention. Diazoxide opens beta-cell K-ATP channels, which hyperpolarises the cell and stops insulin release.

Why is "Pancreatitis" not the answer?

Pancreatitis is a concern with GLP-1 receptor agonists, not diazoxide.

Why is "Lactic acidosis" not the answer?

Lactic acidosis is associated with metformin.

Why is "Gallstones" not the answer?

Gallstones are associated with octreotide and fibrates.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrine drugs: diazoxide in hyperinsulinism in Pharmacology. It also relaxes vascular smooth muscle, so sodium and water retention, hypotension and hypertrichosis are typical. It is used for hyperinsulinism and was once used for hypertensive emergencies.

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 Endocrine drugs: diazoxide in hyperinsulinism?

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.