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Pharmacology is one of the toughest and terrifying subjects of medicine. There are so many names of drugs, their classification, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, contraindications, interactions and side effects to memorize. To make it easier for you, I will pen down what I believe are important pharmacology mnemonics. Mnemonics are a fun and easy way to memorize that will hopefully make pharmacology easier for you. So, let’s dive in.
Pharmacology Mnemonics
Beneficial effects of paracetamol and NSAIDs: 5 A’s
- Analgesia
- Antipyretic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antithrombotic
- Arteriosus (NSAIDs for closure of patent ductus arteriosus)
Morphine side effects: MORPHINE
- Myosis
- Out of it (sedation)
- Respiratory depression
- Pneumonia (aspiration)
- Hypotension
- Infrequency (constipation, urinary retention)
- Nausea
- Emesis
Side effects of systemic corticosteroids: CORTICOSTEROIDS
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Osteoporosis
- Retardation of growth
- Thinning of skin
- Immunosuppression
- Cataracts and glaucoma
- Oedema
- Suppression of HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis)
- Teratogenic
- Emotional disturbance
- Rise in BP
- Obesity (truncal)
- Increased hair growth (hirsutism)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Striae
Side effects of sodium valproate: VALPROATE
- Vomiting
- Alopecia
- Liver toxicity
- Pancreatitis/ Pancytopenia
- Retention of fats (weight gain)
- Oedema (peripheral)
- Anorexia
- Tremor
- Enzyme inhibitor
ACE inhibitor side effects: CAPTOPRIL
- Cough
- Angioneurotic oedema
- Proteinuria
- Taste disturbance/ Teratogenic in 1st trimester
- Other (fatigue, headache)
- Potassium levels increase
- Renal impairment
- Itching
- Low BP (1st dose)
Lidocaine Toxicity: SAMS
- Slurred speech
- Altered central nervous system
- Muscle twitching
- Seizures
Lidocaine toxicity can occur when the dosage administered is greater than 5mcg/mL.
Drugs that potentiate warfarin: O DEVICES
- Omeprazole
- Disulfiram
- Erythromycin
- Valproate
- Isoniazid
- Ciprofloxacin and Cimetidine
- Ethanol (acutely)
- Sulphonamides
Complication of oral birth control pills that require emergency care: SEA CASH
- Severe leg pain
- Eye problems
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain
- Acne
- Swelling of ankles and feet
- Headaches which are severe
Medication for Parkinson’s disease: ALBM
- Amantadine
- Levodopa
- Bromocriptine
- MAO inhibitors
Medication for atrial arrhythmias: ABCDE
- Anticoagulants
- Beta blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- Digoxin
- Electro cardioversion
Medication for ventricular arrhythmias: PALS
- Procainamide
- Amiodarone
- Lidocaine
- Sotalol
Names of cardioselective beta-blockers: New Beta Blockers Acting Selectively At MyoCardium
- Nebivolol
- Betaxolol
- Bisoprolol
- Acebutalol
- Esmolol
- Atenolol
- Metoprolol
- Celiprolol
Contraindications of Digoxin: Contraindicated IN Weak HEART
- Carditis
- Increased calcium
- WPW syndrome (Wolff-Parkison-White syndrome)
- Hypokalemia, Hypomagnesemia
- Elderly
- AV block (partial)
- Renal failure
- Thyroid dysfunction (both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism)
Uses of Colchicine: SLUM
- Sarcoid arthritis
- Liver cirrhosis
- Uric acid elevation
- Mediterranean fever
Indications of Mifepriston: MIFEPRIStone
- Meningioma
- Induction of abortion
- Fibroid
- Endometriosis
- Progesterone receptor positive breast cancer
- Increased steroids (Cushing syndrome)
Non-contraceptive benefits (protective effects) of contraceptive pills: Other BENEFITS
- Ovarian cyst(s)
- Benign breast disease
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Neoplasia (ovarian, endometrial, colon)
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Tension (Premenstrual tension syndrome)
- Skeletal (Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis)
Short acting Benzodiazepines: LOTTE
- Lorazepam
- Oxazepam
- Temazepam
- Triazolam
- Estazolam
Adverse effects of Phenytoin: MILK OATH
- Megaloblastic anemia
- Inhibition of insulin release (hyperglycemia)
- Lymphadenopathy
- Vitamin K deficiency
- Osteomalacia
- Ataxia, Arrhythmias
- Teratogenicity
- Hirsutism, Hypertrophy of gums
Uses of Antipsychotics: ANTI PSY-CHO-TIC
- Antiemetic
- Psychosis
- Chorea
- Tic disorders (Gilles de la Tourette syndrome)
Indications of Antidepressants: DEPRESSION
- Depression
- Enuresis
- Phobia
- Recurrent panic attacks
- Eating disorder (Bulimia)
- Smoking cessation
- Stress disorder (Post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD)
- Impulse disorder (Kleptomania)
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Neuropathic pain
Drugs that help reduce alcohol cravings: None Of The Above
- Naltrexone
- Ondasetron
- Topiramate
- Acamprosate
Drugs for Bradycardia and Hypotension: IDEA
- Isoproterenol
- Dopamine
- Epinephrine
- Atropine sulfate
Thiazides indications: CHIC
- Congestive heart failure
- Hypertension
- Insipidus
- Calcium calculi
Drugs used for overactive bladder: SOFT BladDAR
- Solifenacin
- Oxybutynine
- Flavoxate, Fesoterodine
- Tolterodine, Trospium
- Darifenacin
Anticholinergic uses of Antihistamine: Poses Anti Cholinergic Properties
- Parkinsonism
- Acute muscular dystonia
- Common cold
- Prophylaxis of motion sickness
Adverse effects of Amiodarone: The Periphery of My Lung Liver and Cornea is Photosensitive
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Myocardial depression
- Lung fibrosis
- Liver toxicity (cirrhosis)
- Corneal microdeposits
- Photosensitivity
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