Pharmacology mnemonics are various techniques that facilitate students to recall larger pieces of clinical information, particularly in the form of lists like characteristics, classification, side effects, benefits, stages, steps, parts, phases, etc. Pharmacology is the study of how drugs effects the body. It is the study of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. There are many types of mnemonics that work better like name mnemonics, model mnemonics, expression or word mnemonics, image mnemonics, etc. Pharmacology is a very vast subject, That’s why it’s very difficult to cover the whole subject but we have compiled a list of some very important Pharmacology Mnemonics in this article. Pharmacology Mnemonics helping students performs better in exams. In this article, we will highlight top 100 of the most important pharmacology mnemonics. Pharmacology Mnemonics Sulfonamides: common characteristics SULFA: S-Steven-Johnson syndrome U-Urine precipitation/ Useful for UTI L-Large spectrum F-Folic acids synthesis blocker A-Analog of PABA Diuretics: groups “Leak Over The CAN“: L-Loop diuretics O-Osmotics T-Thiazides C-Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors A-Aldosterone inhibitors N-Na (sodium) channel blockers Tuberculosis: treatment If you forget your TB drugs, you’ll die and might need a PRIEST“: P-Pyrazinamide R-Rifampin I-Isoniazid (INH) E-Ethambutol St-Streptomycin Aminoglycosides: common characteristics AMINO: A- Active Against Aerobic gram-negative M-echanism of resistance are Modifying enzymes I– Inhibit protein synthesis by binding to 30S subunit N- Nephrotoxic O- Ototoxic Femara (Letrozole) Side Effects Just Remember “FEMARA” F–Fracture (Bone), Flushes (Hot) E–Edema (Peripheral) M–Memory impairment A–Anxiety (Less Common) R–Raised Sweating A–Arterial thrombosis(very rare 6. Thalidomide: effect on cancer cells “Thalidomide Makes the blood vessels hide“: Use thalidomide to stop cancer cells from growing new blood vessels. 7. Carbamazepine (CBZ): use CBZ: C-Cranial Nerve V (trigeminal) neuralgia B-Bipolar disorder Z-Zeisures 8. Warfarin: interactions ACADEMIC QACS: A-Amiodarone C-Cimetidine A-Aspirin D-Dapsone E-Erythromycin M-Metronidazole I-Indomethacin C-Clofibrates Q-Quinidine A-Azapropazone C-Ciprofloxacin S-Statins 9. Morphine: side-effects MORPHINE: M-Myosis O-Out of it (sedation) R-Respiratory depression P-Pneumonia (aspiration) H-Hypotension I-Infrequency (constipation, urinary) N-Nausea E-Emesis 10. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA): side effects TCA’S: T-Thrombocytopenia C-Cardiac (arrhythmia, MI, stroke) A-Anticholinergic (tachycardia, etc) S-Seizures Corticosteroids: adverse side effects CUSHINGS BAD MD: C-Cataracts U-Up all night (sleep disturbances) S-Suppression of HPA axis H-Hypertension/ Buffalo Hump I-Infections N-Necrosis (avascular) G-Gain weight S-Striae B-Bone loss (osteoporosis) A-Acne D-Diabetes M-Myopathy, moon faces D-Depression and emotional changes Microtubules: drugs that act on microtubules. “The MicroTubule Growth Voiding Chemicals”: T-Thiabendazole M-Mebendazole T-Taxol G-Griseofulvin V-Vincristine/ Vinblastine C-Colchicine BromoCRYPTine is a DOPamine agonist. Beta-blockers: members “The NEPAL Prime M-Minister”: T-Timolol N-Nadolol E-Esmolol P-Pindolol A-Atenolol L-Labetalol P-Propranolol M-Metoprolol Insulin: mixing regular insulin and NPH “Not Ready, Ready Now”: Air into NPH Air into Regular Draw up Regular Draw up NPH Parasympathetic vs. sympathetic neurotransmitters “No sympathy for a Pair of Aces”: Norepinephrine is secreted in by the Sympathetic nervous system while Acetylcholine is secreted in the Parasympathetic nervous system. Benzodiazepines: 3 members that undergo extrahepatic metabolism “Outside The Liver”: O-Oxazepam T-Temazepam L-Lorazepam These undergo extrahepatic metabolism and do not form active metabolites. Guanethidine: mechanism GuaNEthidine prevents NE (norepinephrine) release. Opioids: mu receptor effects “MD CARES“: M-Miosis D-Dependency C-Constipation A-Analgesics R-Respiratory depression E-Euphoria S-Sedation Adrenoceptors: the vasomotor function of alpha vs. beta ABCD: Alpha = Constrict. Beta = Dilate. Beta 1 selective blockers “BEAM ONE up, Scotty”: Beta 1 blockers: E-Esmolol A-Atenolol M-Metoprolol Atropine use: tachycardia or bradycardia “A goes with B“: Atropine used clinically to treat Bradycardia. Cancer drugs: time of action between DNA->mRNA ABCDEF: A-Alkylating agents B-Bleomycin C-Cisplatin D-Dactinomycin/ Doxorubicin E-Etoposide F-Flutamide and other steroids or their antagonists (eg tamoxifen, leuprolide) Busulfan: features ABCDEF: A-Alkylating agent B-Bone marrow suppression s/e C-CML indication D-Dark skin (hyperpigmentation) s/e E-Endocrine insufficiency (adrenal) s/e F-Fibrosis (pulmonary) s/e Tricyclic antidepressants: members worth knowing “I have to hide, the CIA is after me”: C-Clomipramine I-Imipramine A-Amitriptyline Torsades de Pointes: drugs causing APACHE: A-Amiodarone P-Procainamide A-Arsenium C-Cisapride H-Haloperidol E-Erythromycin Asthma drugs: leukotriene inhibitor action zAfirlukast: Antagonist of lipoxygenase zileuton: Inhibitor of LT receptor Propranolol and related ‘-olol’ drugs: usage “olol” is just two backward lower case b’s. Backward b’s stand for “beta-blocker”. · Beta-blockers include acebutolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol, oxprenolol, propranolol. Beta-blockers: B1 selective vs. B1-B2 non-selective A through N: B1 selective: Acebutolol, Atenolol, Esmolol, Metoprolol. O through Z: B1, B2 non-selective: Pindolol, Propanolol, Timolol. Antirheumatic agents (disease-modifying): members CHAMP: C-Cyclophosphamide H-Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine A-Auranofin and other gold compounds M-Methotrexate P-Penicillamine HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins): side effects, contraindications, interactions HMG–CoA: · Side effects: H-Hepatotoxicity M-Myositis [aka rhabdomyolysis] · Contraindications: G-Girl during pregnancy/ Growing children · Interactions: C-Coumarin/ Cyclosporine Serotonin syndrome: components Causes HARM: H-Hyperthermia A-Autonomic instability (delirium) R-Rigidity M-Myoclonus Therapeutic index: formula TILE: TI = LD50 / ED50 Antiarrhythmics: class III members BIAS: B-Bretylium I-Ibutilide A-Amiodarone S-Sotalol Read, More Pharmacology Mnemonics 33-66 MAOIs: indications MAOI‘S: M-Melancholic [classic name for atypical depression] A-Anxiety O-Obesity disorders [anorexia, bulemia] I-Imagined illnesses [hypochondria] S-Social phobias K+ increasing agents K-BANK: K-K-sparing diuretic B-Beta blocker A-ACEI N-NSAID K-K supplement Ribavirin: indications RIBAvirin: R-RSV I-Influenza B A-Arenaviruses (Lassa, Bolivian, etc.) SIADH-inducing drugs ABCD: A-Analgesics: opioids, NSAIDs B-Barbiturates C-Cyclophosphamide/ Chlorpromazine/ Carbamazepine D-Diuretic (thiazide) Diuretics: thiazides: indications “CHIC to use thiazides”: C-CHF H-Hypertension I-Insipidous C-Calcium calculi Parkinsonism: drugs SALAD: S-Selegiline A-Anticholinenergics (trihexyphenidyl, benzhexol, orphenadrine) L-L-Dopa + peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor (carbidopa, benserazide) A-Amantadine D-Dopamine postsynaptic receptor agonists (bromocriptine, lisuride, pergolide) Thrombolytic agents USA: U-Urokinase S-Streptokinase A-Alteplase (tPA) Morphine: effects at mu receptor PEAR: P-Physical dependence E-Euphoria A-Analgesia R-Respiratory depression Morphine: effects MORPHINE: M-Miosis O-Orthostatic hypotension R-Respiratory depression P-Pain suppression H-Histamine release/ Hormonal alterations I-Increased ICT N-Nausea E-Euphoria S-Sedation Anticholinergic side effects “Know the ABCD’S of anticholinergic side effects”: A-Anorexia B-Blurry vision D-Constipation/ Confusion D-Dry Mouth D-Sedation/ Stasis of urine Antiarrhythmics: classification I to IV MBA College · In order of class I to IV: M-Membrane stabilizers (class I) B-Beta blockers A-Action potential widening agents C-Calcium channel blockers Teratogenic drugs “W/ TERATOgenic”: W-Warfarin T-Thalidomide E-Epileptic drugs: phenytoin, valproate, carbamazepine R-Retinoid A-ACE inhibitor T-Third element: lithium O-OCP and other hormones (eg danazol) Epilepsy types, drugs of choice “Military General Attacked Weary Fighters Pronouncing ‘Veni Vedi Veci’ After Crushing Enemies”: ·Epilepsy types: M-Myoclonic G-Grand