**Core Concept:** Selective 5-HT4 agonists are a class of medications that act on the serotonin receptors, specifically targeting 5-HT4 receptors. They are used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by promoting gastrointestinal motility and reducing reflux. The correct option should have minimal arrhythmogenic properties as it is crucial for safe clinical use.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** Prucalopride is a selective 5-HT4 agonist that is specifically designed to target 5-HT4 receptors in the gastrointestinal tract. It promotes gastrointestinal motility, increases intestinal transit time, and reduces gastroesophageal reflux in patients with GERD. Prucalopride has minimal arrhythmogenic propey, making it a safer choice compared to other 5-HT4 agonists.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. Ezogabine (Option A) is a medication primarily used as an antiepileptic drug, targeting voltage-gated potassium channels in the nervous system. It has significant arrhythmogenic properties, making it unsuitable for use as a GERD treatment.
B. Tegaserod (Option B) is a selective serotonin receptor agonist that acts on 5-HT4 receptors, but it also targets 5-HT2 receptors, increasing the risk of arrhythmias.
C. Buspirone (Option C) is primarily used as an anxiolytic and is a partial agonist at 5-HT1A receptors. It lacks the selectivity for 5-HT4 receptors and has no arrhythmogenic properties, making it an unsuitable choice for GERD treatment.
D. Tegaserod (Option D) is a selective serotonin receptor agonist that acts on 5-HT4 receptors, but it also targets 5-HT2 receptors, increasing the risk of arrhythmias.
**Clinical Pearl:** Selective 5-HT4 agonists like prucalopride are preferred over non-selective agonists like tegaserod due to their reduced risk of arrhythmias and better safety profile. In the context of treating GERD, prucalopride is a safer option compared to the other options, making it the correct answer.
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