Drugs in pregnancy: androgenic drugs and virilisation: 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 · Drugs in pregnancy: androgenic drugs and virilisation

Sample item

A newborn girl has clitoromegaly and fused labioscrotal folds, with normal adrenal steroids. Her mother was treated for endometriosis in early pregnancy before the pregnancy was recognised. Which drug was most likely taken?

AMifepristoneBDanazolCClomipheneDRaloxifene

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Danazol

Danazol is a synthetic androgenic derivative of ethisterone used in endometriosis. Exposure in early pregnancy virilises a female fetus, causing clitoromegaly and labial fusion, so it is contraindicated in pregnancy. The other drugs do not have androgenic activity.

Option by option

A. Mifepristone
Mifepristone is an antiprogestin and does not virilise.
B. Danazol (correct)
Correct. Danazol is androgenic and virilises a female fetus.
C. Clomiphene
Clomiphene induces ovulation and is not androgenic.
D. Raloxifene
Raloxifene is a SERM without androgenic action.

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.

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is B, Danazol. Danazol is a synthetic androgenic derivative of ethisterone used in endometriosis.

Why is "Mifepristone" not the answer?

Mifepristone is an antiprogestin and does not virilise.

Why is "Clomiphene" not the answer?

Clomiphene induces ovulation and is not androgenic.

Why is "Raloxifene" not the answer?

Raloxifene is a SERM without androgenic action.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Drugs in pregnancy: androgenic drugs and virilisation in Pharmacology. Exposure in early pregnancy virilises a female fetus, causing clitoromegaly and labial fusion, so it is contraindicated in pregnancy. The other drugs do not have androgenic activity.

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 Drugs in pregnancy: androgenic drugs and virilisation?

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.