A patient with open-angle glaucoma requires miotic therapy. The drug that acts by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase irreversibly and is used as a long-acting miotic in this setting is:
- A Pilocarpine
- B Echothiophate ✓
- C Carbachol
- D Physostigmine
Correct answer: B. Echothiophate
Explanation
Echothiophate (diisopropyl fluorophosphate analogue) is an organophosphorus compound that irreversibly inhibits acetylcholinesterase, producing long-lasting miosis used in open-angle glaucoma. Physostigmine is also an anticholinesterase but its inhibition is reversible (carbamylates the enzyme transiently). Pilocarpine and carbachol are direct muscarinic agonists, not anticholinesterases.
Reference: KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.