NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) Practice Exam

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Prepare to ace the NAPLEX. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Equip yourself thoroughly for the exam!

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Which agent is used to increase aqueous humor outflow through rho kinase inhibition?

  1. Netarsudil

  2. Timolol

  3. Brimonidine

  4. Dorzolamide

The correct answer is: Netarsudil

Netarsudil is the correct answer because it is a selective rho kinase inhibitor that has been approved by FDA to treat elevated intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients. Rho kinase is an enzyme that plays a role in the contraction of cells in the trabecular meshwork, which is responsible for regulating aqueous humor outflow. By inhibiting this enzyme, netarsudil helps to increase the aqueous humor outflow and reduce intraocular pressure. Other options (B, C, and D) are not correct because they do not inhibit rho kinase and instead work through different mechanisms. Timolol is a beta-blocker that decreases the production of aqueous humor, while Brimonidine is an alpha-adrenergic agonist that decreases the inflow of aqueous humor. Dorzolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that reduces the production of aqueous humor. Therefore, these agents do not directly increase aqueous humor outflow through rho kinase inhibition.