Pharmacology Mnemonics

4

4-Aminopyradine (4-AP) use: “4-AP is For AP“:

• For AP (action potential) propagation in Multiple Sclerosis.
  • Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

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A

Adrenoceptors: vasomotor function of alpha vs. beta: ABCD:

• Alpha = C
• Beta = D
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

 

Antiarrhythmics: class III members: BIAS:

• Bretylium
• Ibutilide
• Amiodarone
• Sotalol
  • Author: Harsh Sharma and Robert O’Connor BJMC, Pune, India and University College Dublin

 

Anticholinergic side effects: “Know the ABCD’S of anticholinergic side effects”:

• Anorexia
• Blurry vision
• Constipation/ Confusion
• Dry Mouth
• Sedation/ Stasis of urine
  • Author: Youngrin Kim University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

 

Antimuscarinics: members, action: “Inhibits Parasympathetic And Sweat”:

• Ipratropium
• Pirenzepine
• Atropine
• Scopolamine
• _ Muscarinic receptors at all parasympathetic endings sweat glands in sympathetic.
  • Author: Derek Obayashi Chicago Medical School

 

Aspirin: side effects: ASPIRIN:

• Asthma
• Salicyalism
• Peptic ulcer disease/ Phosphorylation-oxidation uncoupling/ PPH/ Platelet disaggregation/ Premature closure of PDA
• Intestinal blood loss
• Reye’s syndrome
• Idiosyncracy
• Noise (tinnitus)
  • Author: Chetan Wasekar, MBBS KEM Hospital

 

Antibiotics contraindicated during pregnancy: MCAT:

• Metronidazole
• Chloramphenicol
• Aminoglycoside
• Tetracycline
  • Author: Kyongbin Baek
• Asthma drugs: leukotriene inhibitor action: zAfirlukast: Antagonist of lipoxygenase
• zIlueton: Inhibitor of LT receptor
  • Author: Mumtaz Ali Shah 2000 graduate, Khyber Medical College, Pakistan

 

Antirheumatic agents (disease modifying): members: CHAMP:

• Cyclophosphamide
• Hydroxycloroquine and choloroquinine
• Auranofin and other gold compounds
• Methotrexate
• Penicillamine
  • Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

 

Auranofin, aurothioglucose: category and indication

• Aurum is latin for “gold” (gold’s chemical symbol is Au).
• Generic Aur- drugs (Auranofin, Aurothioglucose) are gold compounds.
• _ If didn’t learn yet that gold’s indication is rheumatoid arthritis, AUR- Acts Upon R
  • Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

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B

Beta-blockers: main contraindications, cautions : ABCDE:

• Asthma
• Block (heart block)
• COPD
• Diabetes mellitus
• Electrolyte (hyperkalemia)
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

 

Beta-blockers: nonselective beta-blockers: “Tim Pinches His Nasal Problem” (because he has a runny nose…):

• Timolol
• Pindolol
• Hismolol
• Naldolol
• Propranolol
  • Author: Hugo M. Rodriguez, MD University of Virginia Roanoke-Salem Program

 

Benzodiazapines: ones not metabolized by the liver (safe to use in liver failure): LOT:

• Lorazepam
• Oxazepam
• Temazepam
  • Author: Lorne Basskin Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

 

Benzodiazepenes: antidote: “Ben is off with the flu“:

• Benzodiazepine effects off with Flu
  • Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

 

Benzodiazepenes: drugs which decrease their metabolism: “I‘m Overly Calm”:

• Isoniazid
• Oral contraceptive pills
• Cimetidine
• _ These drugs increase calming effect of BZDs by retarding metabolism.
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

 

Benzodiazepines: actions: “Ben SCAMs Pam into seduction not by brain but by muscle”:

• Sedation
• anti-Convulsant
• anti-Anxiety
• Muscle relaxant
• Not by brain: No antipsychotic activity.
  • Author: Sung H. Kim

 

Beta 1 selective blockers: “BEAM ONE up, Scotty”:

• Beta 1 blockers:
• Esmolol
• Atenolol
• Metropolol
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

 

Botulism toxin: action, related bungarotoxin: Action: “Botulism Bottles up the Ach so it can’t be the released”:

• Related bungarotoxin: “Botulism is related to Beta Bungarotoxin (beta-, not alpha-bungarotoxin–alpha has different mechanism).
  • Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

 

Busulfan: features: ABCDEF:

• Alkylating agent
• Bone marrow suppression s/e
• CML indication
• Dark skin (hyperpigmentation) s/e
• Endrocrine insufficiency (adrenal) s/e
• Fibrosis (pulmonary) s/e
  • Author: Sung Hoon Kim El Paso, TX

 

Beta-1 vs Beta-2 receptor location: “You have 1 heart and 2 lungs“:

• Beta-1 are therefore primarily on heart.
• Beta-2 primarily on lungs.
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

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C

Captopril (an ACE inhibitor): side effects: CAPTOPRIL:

• Cough
• Angioedema/ Agranulocystosis
• Proteinuria/ Potassium excess
• Taste changes
• Orthostatic hypotension
• Pregnancy contraindication/ Pancreatitis/ Pressure drop (first dose hypertension)
• Renal failure (and renal artery stenosis contraindication)/ Rash
• Indomethacin inhibition
• Leukopenia/ Liver toxicity
  • Author: Chetan Wasekar MBBS KEM Hospital

 

Cholinergics (eg organophosphates): effects: If you know these, you will be “LESS DUMB“:

• Lacrimation
• Excitation of nicotinic synapses
• Salivation
• Sweating
• Diarrhea
• Urination
• Micturition
• Bronchoconstriction
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

 

Cancer drugs: time of action between DNA->mRNA: ABCDEF:

• Alkylating agents
• Bleomycin
• Cisplastin
• Dactinomycin/ Doxorubicin
• Etoposide
• Flutamide and other steroids or their antagonists (eg tamoxifen, leuprolide)
  • Author: Sung Hoon Kim El Paso, TX

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D

Diuretics: thiazides: indications: “CHIC to use thiazides”:

• CHF
• Hypertension
• Insipidous
• Calcium calculi
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

 

Delerium-causing drugs: ACUTE CHANGE IN MS:

• Antibiotics (biaxin, penicillin, ciprofloxacin)
• Cardiac drugs (digoxin, lidocaine)
• Urinary incontinence drugs (anticholinergics)
• Theophylline
• Ethanol
• Corticosteroids
• H2 blockers
• Antiparkinsonian drugs
• Narcotics (esp. mepridine)
• Geriatric psychiatric drugs
• ENT drugs
• Insomnia drugs
• NSAIDs (eg indomethacin, naproxin)
• Muscle relaxants
• Seizure medicines
  • Author: Muhammad Asif Iqbal Resident, SLU, MO

 

Direct sympathomimetic catecholamines: DINED:

• Dopamine
• Isoproterenol
• Norepinephrine
• Epinephrine
• Dobutamine
  • Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

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E

Enoxaprin (prototype low molecular weight heparin): action, monitoring: EnoXaprin only acts on factor Xa.

• Monitor Xa concentration, rather than APTT.
  • Author: Atif Farooq Khawaja Rawalpindi Medical College, Pakistan, Gujranwala

 

Etoposide: action, indications, side effect: “eTOPoside”:

• _ Action:
• Inhibits TOPoisomerase II
• _ Indications:
• Testicular carcinoma
• Oat cell carcinoma of lung
• Prostate carcinoma

_ Side effect:

• Affects TOP of your head, causing alopecia
  • Author: Milixa Fortuna UAG Medical Student

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G

Gynaecomastia-causing drugs [ID 1798]: DISCOS:

• Digoxin
• Isoniazid
• Spironolactone
• Cimetidine
• Oestrogens
• Stilboestrol
  • Author: Nasseri University of Sheffield

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H

Hepatic necrosis: drugs causing focal to massive necrosis: “Very Angry Hepatocytes”:

• Valproic acid
• Acetaminophen
• Halothane
  • Author: Calvin Sy University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

 

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins): side effects, contraindications, interactions: HMG–CoA:

_ Side effects:

• Hepatotoxicity
• Myositis [aka rhabdomyolysis]

_ Contraindications:

• Girl during pregnancy/ Growing children

_ Interactions:

• Coumarin/ Cyclosporine
  • Author: Atif Farooq Khawaja Rawalpindi Medical College, Pakistan, Gujranwala

 

Hypertension: treatment: ABCD:

• ACE inhibitors/ AngII antagonists (sometimes Alpha agonists also)
• Beta blockers
• Calcium antagonists
• Diuretics
  • Author: LW Mason 4th Year Medical Student

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I

Inhalation anesthetics: SHINE:

• Sevoflurane
• Halothane
• Isoflurane
• Nitrous oxide
• Enflurane

_ If want the defunct Methoxyflurane too, make it MoonSHINE.

• • Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

 

Ipratropium: action

• Atropine is buried in the middle: iprAtropium, so it behaves like Atropine.
  • Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

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K

K+ increasing agents: K-BANK:

• K-sparing diuretic
• Beta blocker
• ACEI
• NSAID
• K supplement
  • Author: Anthony Chan

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L

Lupus: drugs inducing it: HIP:

• Hydralazine
• INH
• Procanimide
  • Author: Hodge/Gupta LSU Medicine FirmI

 

Lead poisoning: presentation: ABCDEFG:

• Anemia
• Basophilic stripping
• Colicky pain
• Diarrhea
• Encephalopathy
• Foot drop
• Gum (lead line)
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

 

Lithium: side effects: LITH:

• Leukocytosis
• Insipidus [diabetes insipidus, tied to polyuria]
• Tremor/ Teratogenesis
• Hypothyroidism
  • Author: Robert O’Connor and Rinku Uberoi

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M

MAOIs: indications: MAOI‘S:

• Melancholic [classic name for atypical depression]
• Anxiety
• Obesity disorders [anorexia, bulemia]
• Imagined illnesses [hypochondria]
• Social phobias

_ Listed in decreasing order of importance.

_ Note MAOI is inside MelAnchOlI

• • Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

 

Methyldopa: side effects: METHYLDOPA:

• Mental retardation
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Tolerance
• Headache/ Hepatotoxicity
• psYcological upset
• Lactation in female
• Dry mouth
• Oedema
• Parkinsonism
• Anaemia (haemolytic)
  • Author: Yazeed A. Oqaili King Saud University Medical College

 

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors: members: “PIT of despair”:

• Phenelzine
• Isocarboxazid
• Tranylcypromine

_ A pit of despair, since MAOs treat depression.

• • Author: Derek Obayashi Chicago Medical School

 

Morphine: effects: MORPHINES:

• Miosis
• Orthostatic hypotension
• Respiratory depression
• Pain supression
• Histamine release/ Hormonal alterations
• Increased ICT
• Nausea
• Euphoria
• Sedation
  • Author: Chetan Wasekar, MBBS KEM Hospital

 

Morphine: effects at mu receptor: PEAR:

• Physical dependence
• Euphoria
• Analgesia
• Respiratory depression
  • Author: Robert Copeland Howard University College of Medicine

 

Metabolism enzyme inducers: “Randy’s Black Car Goes Putt Putt and Smokes“:

• Rifampin
• Barbiturates
• Carbamazepine
• Grisoefulvin
• Phenytoin
• Phenobarb
• Smoking cigarettes
  • Author: Brad

 

Morphine: side-effects: MORPHINE:

• Myosis
• Out of it (sedation)
• Respiratory depression
• Pneumonia (aspiration)
• Hypotension
• Infrequency (constipation, urinary retention)
• Nausea
• Emesis
  • Author: Tony Duffy Medical Student Glasgow

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N

Narcotic antagonists

• The Narcotic Antagonists are NAloxone and NA

_ Important clinically to treat narcotic overdose.

• • Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

 

Nitrofurantoin: major side effects: NitroFurAntoin:

• Neuropathy (peripheral neuropathy)
• Fibrosis (pulmonary fibrosis)
• Anemia (hemolytic anemia)
  • Author: Joshua Goh Unimas: University Malaysia Sarawak

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O

Osmotic diuretics: members: GUM:

• Glycerol
• Urea
• Mannitol
  • Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

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P

Patent ductus arteriosus: treatment: “Come In and Close the door”:

• INdomethacin is used to Close
  • Author: Milixa Fortuna UAG Medical Student

 

Propranolol and related ‘-olol’ drugs: usage

• “olol” is just two backwards lower case b’s.
• Backward b’s stand for “beta blocker”.

_ Beta blockers include acebutolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol, oxprenolol, propranolol.

• • Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

 

Propythiouracil (PTU): mechanism: It inhibits PTU:

• Peroxidase/ Peripheral deiodination
• Tyrosine iodination
• Union (coupling)
  • Author: Atif Farooq Khawaja and Mediha Farooq Rawalpindi Medical College, Pakistan/ Gujranwala

 

Parkinsonism: drugs: SALAD:

• Selegiline
• Anticholinenergics (trihexyphenidyl, benzhexol, ophenadrine)
• L-Dopa + peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor (carbidopa, benserazide)
• Amantadine
• Dopamine postsynaptic receptor agonists (bromocriptine, lisuride, pergolide)
  • Author: Harsh Sharma

 

Phenytoin: adverse effects: PHENYTOIN:

• P-450 interactions
• Hirsutism
• Enlarged gums
• Nystagmus
• Yellow-browning of skin
• Teratogenicity
• Osteomalacia
• Interference with B12 metabolism (hence anemia)
• Neuropathies: vertigo, ataxia, headache
  • Author: Ram Mohan SVRR Hospital Tirupathi, India

 

Physostigmine vs. neostigmine: LMNOP:

• Lipid soluble
• Miotic
• Natural
• Orally absorbed well
• Physostigmine
• _ Neostigmine, on the contrary, is:
• Water soluble
• Used in myesthenia gravis
• Synthetic
• Poor oral absorption
  • Author: Manpreet Saini GMC Amritsar

 

Pupils in overdose: morphine vs. amphetamine: “MorPHINE: Fine. AmPHETamine: Fat“:

• Morphine overdose: pupils constricted (fine).
• Amphetamine overdose: pupils dilated (fat).
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

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R

Respiratory depression inducing drugs: “STOP breathing”:

• Sedatives and hypnotics
• Trimethoprim
• Opiates
• Polymyxins
  • Author: Harsh Sharma BJMC, Pune, India

 

Ribavirin: indications: RIBAvirin:

• RSV
• Influenza B
• Arenaviruses (Lassa, Bolivian, etc.)
  • Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

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T

TB: antibiotics used: STRIPE:

• STreptomycin
• Rifampicin
• Isoniazid
• Pyrizinamide
• Ethambutol
  • Author: Sushant Varma Medical student, University of Sheffield, UK

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S

Steroid side effects: CUSHINGOID:

• Cataracts
• Ulcers
• Skin: striae, thinning, bruising
• Hypertension/ Hirsutism/ Hyperglycemia
• Infections
• Necrosis, avascular necrosis of the femoral head
• Glycosuria
• Osteoporosis, obesity
• Immunosuppression
• Diabetes
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

 

Steroids: side effects: BECLOMETHASONE:

• Buffalo hump
• Easy bruising
• Cataracts
• Larger appetite
• Obesity
• Moonface
• Euphoria
• Thin arms & legs
• Hypertension/ Hyperglycaemia
• Avascular necrosis of femoral head
• Skin thinning
• Osteoporosis
• Negative nitrogen balance
• Emotional liability
  • Author: Rob Cambridge University

 

SIADH-inducing drugs: ABCD:

• Analgesics: opioids, NSAIDs
• Barbiturates
• Cyclophosphamide/ Chlorpromazine/ Carbamazepine
• Diuretic (thiazide)
  • Author: Anthony Chan

 

Sulfonamide: major side effects: Sulfonamide side effects:

• Steven-Johnson syndrome
• Skin rash
• Solubility low (causes crystalluria)
• Serum albumin displaced (causes newborn kernicterus and potentiation of other serum albumin-binders like warfarin)
  • Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

 

Serotonin syndrome: components: Causes HARM:

• Hyperthermia
• Autonomic instability (delirium)
• Rigidity
• Myoclonus
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

 

Sodium valproate: side effects: VALPROATE:

• Vomiting
• Alopecia
• Liver toxicity
• Pancreatitis/ Pancytopenia
• Retention of fats (weight gain)
• Oedema (peripheral oedema)
• Appetite increase
• Tremor
• Enzyme inducer (liver)
  • Author: Joshua Goh Unimas: University Malaysia Sarawak

 

SSRIs: side effects: SSRI:

• Serotonin syndrome
• Stimulate CNS
• Reproductive disfunctions in male
• Insomnia
  • Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

 

Succinylcholine: action, use

• Succinylcholine gets Stuck to Ach receptor, then Sucks ions in through open pore.
• You Suck stuff in through a mouth-tube, and drug is used for intubation.
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

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T

• Thrombolytic agents: USA:

• Urokinase
• Streptokinase
• Alteplase (tPA)
  • Author: Harsh Sharma BJMC, Pune, India

 

Tricyclic antidepressants: members worth knowing: “I have to hide, the CIA is after me”:

• Clomipramine
• Imipramine
• Amitrptyline

_ If want the next 3 worth knowing, the DNDis also after me:

• Desipramine
• Norrtriptyline
• Doxepin
  • Author: Enrique Cifuentes University Autonomus of Guadalajara

 

Tricyclic antidipressents (TCA): side effects: TCA’S:

• Thrombocytopenia
• Cardiac (arrhymia, MI, stroke)
• Anticholinergic (tachycardia, urinary retention, etc)
• Seizures
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

 

Therapeutic index: formula: TILE:

• TI = LD50 / ED50
  • Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

 

Torsades de Pointes: drugs causing: APACHE:

• Amiodarone
• Procainamide
• Arsenium
• Cisapride
• Haloperidol
• Eritromycin
  • Author: Flavio Nacul Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

 

Teratogenic drugs: major non-antibiotics: TAP CAP:

• Thalidomide
• Androgens
• Progestins
• Corticosteroids
• Aspirin & indomethacin
• Phenytoin
  • Author: Manpreet GMC Amritsar

 

Tetracycline: teratogenicity

• TEtracycline is a
• TEratogen that causes staining of
• TEeth in the newborn.
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

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V

Vir-named drugs: use: “-vir at start, middle or end means for virus”:

• _ Drugs: Abacavir, Acyclovir, Amprenavir, Cidofovir, Denavir, Efavirenz, Indavir, Invirase, Famvir, Ganciclovir, Norvir, Oseltamivir,
• Penciclovir, Ritonavir, Saquinavir, Valacyclovir, Viracept, Viramune, Zanamivir, Zovir
  • Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin

 

Vigabatrin: mechanism: Vi-GABA–Tr–In:

• Via GABA Transferase Inhibition
  • Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/

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W

Warfarin: action, monitoring: WePT:

• Warfarin works on the extrinsic pathway and is monitored by PT.
  • Author: Marcus James Fidel Medical Student, University of New Mexico

 

Warfarin: metabolism: SLOW:

_ Has a slow onset of action.

_ A quicK Vitamin K antagonist, though.

• Small lipid-soluble molecule
• Liver: site of action
• Oral route of administration.
• Warfarin
  • Author: Samuel Atom Baek-Kim

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Z

Zero order kinetics drugs (most common ones): “PEAZ (sounds like pees) out a constant amount”:

• Phenytoin
• Ethanol
• Aspirin
• Zero order

_ Someone that pees out a constant amount describes zero order kinetics (always the same amount out)

• • Author: UHS-COM

 

Zafirlukast, Montelukast, Cinalukast: mechanism, usage: “Zafir-luk–ast, Monte-luk–ast, Cina-luk–ast“:

• _ Anti-Lukotrienes for Ast
• _ Dazzle your oral examiner: Zafirlukast antagonizes leukotriene-4.
  • Author: Oisin and Robert O’Connor UCC and University College Dublin