CNS Pharmacology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 52-year-old obese man presents to his primary care physician after routine bloodwork revealed a fasting glucose of 187 mg/dL and a hemoglobin A1c of 8.2%. He has a BMI of 34 kg/m² and a blood pressure of 138/86 mmHg. Physical examination reveals acanthosis nigricans along the posterior neck and axillae, consistent with insulin resistance. His serum creatinine is 0.9 mg/dL and his eGFR is 88 mL/min/1.73m². He is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and started on first-line oral pharmacotherapy that works by lowering hepatic gluconeogenesis and improving peripheral insulin sensitivity. He asks his physician about a serious but rare toxicity associated with this medication that is more likely to occur in the setting of renal failure. Which of the following drugs is most likely being discussed?
Answer choices
- AExenatide
- BPioglitazone
- CMetforminCorrect answer
- DAcarbose
- EGlyburide
- FRosiglitazone
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