Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

What are the contraindications for using carbimazole?

1. Diabetes, Hypertension

2. Infection, sore throat

3. Pregnancy, Liver disease

4. Cancer, Chronic kidney disease

The correct answer is: Infection, sore throat

Carbimazole is an antithyroid medication primarily used to treat hyperthyroidism by inhibiting the synthesis of thyroid hormones. One of the important considerations when prescribing this medication involves identifying contraindications that can lead to significant health risks or complications. Infection, particularly a sore throat, serves as a critical contraindication for the use of carbimazole. This is primarily due to the risk of agranulocytosis, a potentially serious side effect of the drug which can lead to a dangerously low white blood cell count. When a patient has an active infection or sore throat, there may already be an underlying issue with their immune system, and the use of carbimazole could exacerbate the risk of severe infections due to its bone marrow-suppressing effects. Therefore, it's essential to evaluate blood counts and overall health before initiating treatment with carbimazole if there's any indication of infection. Other conditions mentioned do have their own implications regarding the use of carbimazole, but they do not pose as immediate or significant a risk as infection. For instance, while pregnancy is a consideration, carbimazole can actually be used with caution when the benefits outweigh the risks. Similarly, liver disease would require careful monitoring but does not serve as an absolute contraind