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Question 477
Pharmacology → General
Classification
Question
SSBAQuestion Header
A patient develops nausea, vomiting and flushing after drinking alcohol while taking metronidazole. Which interaction best explains these symptoms?
Question Stem
Select the single best answer.
Options
A
Disulfiram-like reaction
B
Acute opioid withdrawal
C
Tyramine-mediated pressor response
D
Beta-adrenoceptor blockade
E
Antimuscarinic toxicity
Explanation
Metronidazole used in combination with alcohol can produce an antabuse or disulfiram-like reaction associated with nausea, vomiting and flushing due to accumulation of metabolites.
Option Validity
B) The symptoms follow the metronidazole-alcohol combination rather than opioid withdrawal.
C) A tyramine-mediated pressor response is associated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors and may cause severe hypertension.
D) Beta-adrenoceptor blockade does not account for this characteristic interaction.
E) Antimuscarinic effects include features such as dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation and blurred vision rather than this alcohol-related reaction.
Further Reading
Saxena R. Textbook for MRCOG-1. Chapter 12: Pharmacology. Clinical Pharmacy, p.344.