Paper I
2025 March (Supplementary (SAY)) (2019 Scheme) · 100 marks · 180 min

Question

The antihistaminic drug banned due to the deaths caused by Torsades de pointes is

  • a) Terfenadine
  • b) Rupatadine
  • c) Mizolastine
  • d) Cetirizine
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Answer

Correct answer: a) Terfenadine

Terfenadine, an early second-generation antihistamine, was withdrawn after being linked to fatal Torsades de pointes — its parent compound blocks cardiac potassium (hERG) channels and prolongs the QT interval, an effect that became dangerous when hepatic CYP3A4 metabolism was impaired (by liver disease or CYP3A4-inhibiting drugs), allowing the cardiotoxic parent compound to accumulate instead of being rapidly converted to its safe, non-sedating active metabolite (fexofenadine).

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