Paper I
2024 June (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) · 100 marks · 180 min

Question

Discuss the management of drug induced Parkinsonism. Discuss the management of megaloblastic anaemia. (4+4)

Q48 marksShort Essays

Answer

a) Management of drug-induced parkinsonism Results from dopamine D2 receptor blockade (typically antipsychotics), tipping the striatal dopamine-acetylcholine balance toward relative cholinergic excess.

  • Where feasible, reduce the dose of or switch the causative drug to one with lower D2-blocking potency (e.g. an atypical antipsychotic with a more favorable receptor profile).
  • Anticholinergics (Trihexyphenidyl, Benztropine) — block the excess cholinergic activity, restoring balance; the treatment of choice, since the problem is receptor blockade, not dopamine deficiency.
  • Levodopa is not useful here — since dopamine receptors are pharmacologically blocked rather than dopamine being deficient, adding more dopamine does not overcome the block and can antagonize the causative drug’s own therapeutic effect.
  • Symptoms are generally reversible on stopping the offending drug, over days to weeks.

b) Management of megaloblastic anemia Results from vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, impairing DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells.

  • Determine the specific deficiency (B12 versus folate) before treating, since folate replacement alone in a B12-deficient patient corrects the anemia but allows the neurological complications of B12 deficiency (subacute combined degeneration) to progress unchecked.
  • Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin/Hydroxocobalamin) — parenteral (IM) replacement, particularly in pernicious anemia (impaired intrinsic-factor-mediated absorption) or malabsorption; oral high-dose therapy is an alternative in some settings.
  • Folic acid — oral replacement for folate deficiency (dietary insufficiency, increased demand as in pregnancy, or certain drug-induced deficiency).
  • Treat the underlying cause where identifiable (dietary correction, addressing malabsorption, reviewing folate-antagonist drugs).

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