Question

Which among the following does not cause hyperpyrexia?

• A. MAO inhibitors
• B. Alcohol
• C. TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants)
• D. Amphetamine

Hint:

Which agent dilates skin vessels and tends to cause hypothermia instead?

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Reframe the question. We must find the drug that does NOT raise body temperature; the other three should be recognised hyperthermia-producing agents.
Step 2: Check MAO inhibitors. They increase synaptic monoamines and, especially with serotonergic drugs or tyramine, can trigger serotonin syndrome or hypertensive crisis with hyperthermia.
Step 3: Check TCAs. In overdose, tricyclics cause anticholinergic toxicity (hot, dry skin) and can produce hyperthermia.
Step 4: Check amphetamine. As a sympathomimetic stimulant it increases metabolic heat production and impairs heat dissipation, classically causing hyperthermia.
Step 5: Check alcohol. Ethanol causes cutaneous vasodilation and central depression, which tends to lower body temperature and predispose to hypothermia, not hyperpyrexia.
Answer: Option B, Alcohol.