Trimeprazine tartrate MCQs With Answer

Trimeprazine tartrate MCQs With Answer is a targeted revision set for B.Pharm students covering trimeprazine’s pharmacology, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic uses, formulations, dosing considerations, adverse effects, drug interactions and quality-control aspects. This concise guide highlights trimeprazine (a phenothiazine-derived H1 antagonist with sedative and antitussive properties), routes of administration, stability, assay methods, contraindications and patient counseling points. Questions include case-based clinical scenarios, analytical testing, compounding, quality control, adverse drug reaction reporting, and regulatory considerations to deepen practical understanding. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. What is the primary pharmacological class of trimeprazine tartrate?

  • First-generation H1-antagonist (phenothiazine derivative)
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
  • Benzodiazepine anxiolytic
  • Beta-adrenergic blocker

Correct Answer: First-generation H1-antagonist (phenothiazine derivative)

Q2. Which of the following best describes the main clinical uses of trimeprazine?

  • Antihistamine with sedative, antitussive and antipruritic uses
  • Primary antihypertensive agent
  • Anticoagulant for thromboembolism
  • Antineoplastic chemotherapy agent

Correct Answer: Antihistamine with sedative, antitussive and antipruritic uses

Q3. What is the principal mechanism of action of trimeprazine related to its sedative effect?

  • H1 receptor antagonism with central sedative effects
  • Selective dopamine D2 receptor agonism
  • Norepinephrine reuptake inhibition
  • Muscarinic receptor agonism

Correct Answer: H1 receptor antagonism with central sedative effects

Q4. Which formulations of trimeprazine are commonly available in clinical practice?

  • Oral syrup, tablets, and injectable formulations
  • Transdermal patch only
  • Inhaler aerosol only
  • Topical cream only

Correct Answer: Oral syrup, tablets, and injectable formulations

Q5. Which adverse effect is most commonly associated with therapeutic doses of trimeprazine?

  • Marked sedation and drowsiness
  • Profound renal failure
  • Severe thrombocytopenia as the most frequent effect
  • Immediate anaphylactic shock in all patients

Correct Answer: Marked sedation and drowsiness

Q6. Which condition is an important contraindication or precaution for trimeprazine use?

  • Severe respiratory depression and hypersensitivity to the drug
  • Well-controlled seasonal allergic rhinitis without sedation issues
  • Mild occasional headache
  • Stable hypothyroidism on replacement therapy

Correct Answer: Severe respiratory depression and hypersensitivity to the drug

Q7. Trimeprazine has clinically significant interactions with which class of drugs?

  • CNS depressants such as opioids, benzodiazepines and alcohol
  • Statins leading to increased cholesterol lowering
  • Insulin causing hypoglycemia potentiation
  • Proton-pump inhibitors increasing acidity

Correct Answer: CNS depressants such as opioids, benzodiazepines and alcohol

Q8. What is the appropriate general advice regarding trimeprazine use during pregnancy?

  • Use only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus
  • Safe for routine use in all trimesters without restriction
  • Guaranteed to improve fetal outcomes and therefore recommended
  • Contraindicated in all pregnant women under any circumstance

Correct Answer: Use only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus

Q9. The antitussive effect of trimeprazine is mainly due to:

  • Suppression of the medullary cough center via central activity
  • Bronchodilation by beta-2 agonism
  • Direct mucolytic action on airway secretions
  • Inhibition of leukotriene synthesis

Correct Answer: Suppression of the medullary cough center via central activity

Q10. Which statement correctly describes the primary route of trimeprazine metabolism and elimination?

  • Extensive hepatic metabolism with renal excretion of metabolites
  • Excreted unchanged primarily via the lungs
  • Eliminated exclusively via bile without hepatic metabolism
  • Not metabolized; eliminated intact in sweat

Correct Answer: Extensive hepatic metabolism with renal excretion of metabolites

Q11. The onset of central sedative effects after oral administration of trimeprazine is typically:

  • Within 15–30 minutes
  • After 48–72 hours only
  • Immediately within seconds
  • After several weeks of therapy

Correct Answer: Within 15–30 minutes

Q12. Which anticholinergic adverse effects may be seen with trimeprazine?

  • Dry mouth, blurred vision and urinary retention
  • Increased salivation and lacrimation only
  • Profuse sweating with enhanced urination
  • Severe hypoglycemia and weight loss

Correct Answer: Dry mouth, blurred vision and urinary retention

Q13. In case of trimeprazine overdose, the immediate management includes:

  • Supportive care, airway protection and symptomatic treatment; activated charcoal if appropriate
  • Immediate hemodialysis as the first-line antidote
  • Routine high-dose aspirin to reverse toxicity
  • No treatment as overdose is never serious

Correct Answer: Supportive care, airway protection and symptomatic treatment; activated charcoal if appropriate

Q14. Which parameters are essential to monitor in a patient on trimeprazine therapy?

  • Level of sedation, respiratory rate and blood pressure
  • Serum potassium and magnesium only
  • Visual acuity every hour
  • Coagulation profile daily

Correct Answer: Level of sedation, respiratory rate and blood pressure

Q15. What are appropriate storage conditions for trimeprazine syrup in the pharmacy?

  • Store in a cool, dry place protected from light
  • Store frozen at -20°C
  • Store in direct sunlight to maintain potency
  • Store at very high humidity to prevent crystallization

Correct Answer: Store in a cool, dry place protected from light

Q16. The “tartrate” in trimeprazine tartrate primarily indicates:

  • It is the tartaric acid salt form that enhances solubility and stability
  • It is combined with tartar sauce as an excipient
  • It denotes a sulfated salt for extended release
  • It indicates the drug is a prodrug requiring tartaric activation

Correct Answer: It is the tartaric acid salt form that enhances solubility and stability

Q17. Which analytical method is commonly used to quantify trimeprazine in pharmaceutical formulations?

  • High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
  • Infrared spectroscopy only without separation
  • Gravimetric analysis as the primary assay
  • Urine dipstick testing

Correct Answer: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

Q18. What is the legal classification of trimeprazine in most countries?

  • Prescription-only medicine (Rx)
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) without restrictions
  • Controlled substance schedule I
  • Veterinary use only, not for humans

Correct Answer: Prescription-only medicine (Rx)

Q19. Regarding pediatric use of trimeprazine, what is a key safety consideration?

  • Use with caution in young children due to risk of respiratory depression and paradoxical reactions
  • Always safe in neonates at adult doses
  • Recommended as first-line cough suppressant for all infants
  • No monitoring required when given to children

Correct Answer: Use with caution in young children due to risk of respiratory depression and paradoxical reactions

Q20. Which receptor-related action explains the potential for orthostatic hypotension with trimeprazine?

  • Alpha-1 adrenergic blockade causing vasodilation
  • Beta-2 receptor stimulation increasing heart rate only
  • Direct inhibition of ACE enzyme
  • Potent mineralocorticoid agonism

Correct Answer: Alpha-1 adrenergic blockade causing vasodilation

Q21. How would you describe the risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) with trimeprazine at therapeutic doses?

  • Low at therapeutic doses but may occur with high doses or parenteral use
  • Guaranteed severe EPS in all patients
  • No possibility of EPS because it has no CNS activity
  • EPS are the primary expected effect at any dose

Correct Answer: Low at therapeutic doses but may occur with high doses or parenteral use

Q22. What cardiac risk should be considered when prescribing trimeprazine with other drugs?

  • Potential QT interval prolongation; caution with other QT-prolonging drugs
  • Guaranteed prevention of arrhythmias in all patients
  • It causes permanent bradycardia in all patients
  • Has no cardiac effects and requires no ECG monitoring ever

Correct Answer: Potential QT interval prolongation; caution with other QT-prolonging drugs

Q23. The phenothiazine scaffold, to which trimeprazine is related, can yield drugs with which types of activities?

  • Both antihistaminic and antipsychotic activities depending on substitution
  • Only antibiotic activity and nothing else
  • Exclusive anticoagulant properties
  • Only topical antifungal effects

Correct Answer: Both antihistaminic and antipsychotic activities depending on substitution

Q24. What counseling point should be given to patients starting trimeprazine?

  • Avoid alcohol and activities requiring alertness such as driving until effects are known
  • Increase alcohol intake to reduce sedation
  • Stop all other medications immediately without consultation
  • No need to follow-up after first dose

Correct Answer: Avoid alcohol and activities requiring alertness such as driving until effects are known

Q25. Which quality-control tests are essential for trimeprazine syrup before release?

  • Assay of active ingredient, pH, preservative efficacy and microbial limits
  • Only color visual inspection without analytical testing
  • Radioactivity measurement as the only required test
  • None; syrups are exempt from QC testing

Correct Answer: Assay of active ingredient, pH, preservative efficacy and microbial limits

Q26. Oral bioavailability of trimeprazine is influenced mainly by:

  • Significant first-pass hepatic metabolism
  • Complete absorption with zero metabolism
  • Immediate renal excretion before absorption
  • Absorption exclusively through buccal mucosa

Correct Answer: Significant first-pass hepatic metabolism

Q27. How should trimeprazine dosing be approached in patients with renal impairment?

  • Use caution and monitor; dose adjustment may be needed due to metabolite accumulation
  • No adjustments are ever necessary regardless of renal function
  • Increase the dose substantially to compensate for renal disease
  • Switch to inhaled form to avoid renal handling

Correct Answer: Use caution and monitor; dose adjustment may be needed due to metabolite accumulation

Q28. The “tartrate” salt in trimeprazine tartrate is derived from which acid?

  • Tartaric acid
  • Citric acid
  • Lactic acid
  • Sulfuric acid

Correct Answer: Tartaric acid

Q29. Anticholinergic toxicity from trimeprazine overdose may present with which signs?

  • Dry skin, hyperthermia, mydriasis and urinary retention
  • Excessive sweating, pinpoint pupils and profuse salivation
  • Severe hypothermia and bradycardia only
  • Immediate bleeding from mucous membranes

Correct Answer: Dry skin, hyperthermia, mydriasis and urinary retention

Q30. Which is a common alternative or synonym for trimeprazine used in some regions?

  • Alimemazine
  • Diphenhydramine
  • Loratadine
  • Promethazine

Correct Answer: Alimemazine

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