Amiodarone: action, side effects 6 P’s:
Prolongs action potential duration
Photosensitivity
Pigmentation of skin
Peripheral neuropathy
Pulmonary alveolitis and fibrosis
Peripheral conversion of T4 to T3 is inhibited -> hypothyroidism

Morphine: effects MORPHINES:
Miosis
Orthostatic hypotension
Respiratory depression
Pain supression
Histamine release/ Hormonal alterations
Increased ICT
Nausea
Euphoria
Sedation

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors: members “PIT of
despair”:
Phenelzine
Isocarboxazid
Tranylcypromine
· A pit of despair, since MAOs treat depression.

Antimuscarinics: members, action “Inhibits Parasympathetic
And Sweat”:
Ipratropium
Pirenzepine
Atropine
Scopolamine
· Muscarinic receptors at all parasympathetic endings sweat glands in
sympathetic.

Patent ductus arteriosus: treatment “Come In and 
Close the door”:
INdomethacin is used to ClosePDA.

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

Antibiotics contraindicated during pregnancy MCAT:
Metronidazole
Chloramphenicol
Aminoglycoside
Tetracycline

Lithium: side effects LITHIUM:
Leukocytes Increased (leukocytosis)
Tremors
Hypothyroidism
Increased Urine
Moms beware (teratogenic)

Quinolones [and Fluoroquinolones]: mechanism “Topple
the Queen“:
Quinolone interferes with Topoisomerase II.

MPTP: mechanism, effect MPTP:
Mitochondrial Parkinson’s-Type Poison.
· A mitochondrial poison that elicits a Parkinson’s-type effect.

Osmotic diuretics: members GUM:
Glycerol
Urea
Mannitol

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)

 Drugs for All Types of Seizures (except petit mal)

CAPHE

CA rbamazepine

PHE nytoin/Phenobarbital

Drugs for Petit Mal Seizures

VALET

VAL proic acid

ET hosuximide

Vancomycin

“A Red Van Drove Into The Wall”

A ntihistamines (prevents redman syndrome)

R ed man syndrome

V ancomycin

D -ala D-ala

I nhibitor

T hrombophlebitis

W all (as in cell wall)

Benzodiazepenes: antidote “Ben is off with the
flu“:
Benzodiazepine effects off with Flumazenil.

Narcotics: side effects “SCRAM if you see a drug
dealer”:
Synergistic CNS depression with other drugs
Constipation
Respiratory depression
Addiction
Miosis

Sex hormone drugs: male “Feminine Males Need
Testosterone“:
Fluoxymesterone
Methyltestosterone
Nandrolone
Testosterone

Ca++ channel blockers: uses CA++ MASH:
Cerebral vasospasm/ CHF
Angina
Migranes
Atrial flutter, fibrillation
Supraventricular tachycardia
Hypertension
· Alternatively: “CHASM“:
Cererbral vasospasm / CHF
Hypertension
Angina
Suprventricular tachyarrhythmia
Migranes

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.

Tetracycline: teratogenicity TEtracycline is a
TEratogen that causes staining of
TEeth in the newborn.

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

Thrombolytic agents USA:
Urokinase
Streptokinase
Alteplase (tPA)

Anticholinergic side effects “Know the ABCD’S of
anticholinergic side effects”:
Anorexia
Blurry vision
Constipation/ Confusion
Dry Mouth
Sedation/ Stasis of urine

Myasthenia gravis: edrophonium vs. pyridostigmine eDrophonium
is for Diagnosis.
pyRIDostigmine is to get RIDof symptoms.

Narcotic antagonists The Narcotic Antagonists
are NAloxone and NAltrexone.
· Important clinically to treat narcotic overdose.

Inhalation anesthetics SHINE:
Sevoflurane
Halothane
Isoflurane
Nitrous oxide
Enflurane
· If want the defunct Methoxyflurane too, make it MoonSHINE.

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)

Therapeutic dosage: toxicity values for most commonly monitored
medications “The magic 2s”:
Digitalis (.5-1.5) Toxicity = 2.
Lithium (.6-1.2) Toxicity = 2.
Theophylline (10-20) Toxicity = 20.
Dilantin (10-20) Toxicity = 20.
APAP (1-30) Toxicity = 200.

Opioids: effects BAD AMERICANS:
Bradycardia & hypotension
Anorexia
Diminished pupilary size
Analgesics
Miosis
Euphoria
Respiratory depression
Increased smooth muscle activity (biliary tract constriction)
Constipation
Ameliorate cough reflex
Nausea and vomiting
Sedations

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

Disulfiram-like reaction inducing drugs “PM PMT” as
in Pre Medical Test in the PM:
Procarbazine
Metronidazole
Cefo (Perazone, Mandole, Tetan).

Zafirlukast, Montelukast, Cinalukast: mechanism, usage “Zafir-luk–ast,
Monte-luk–ast, Cina-luk–ast“:
· Anti-Lukotrienes for Asthma.
· Dazzle your oral examiner: Zafirlukast antagonizes leukotriene-4.

4-Aminopyradine (4-AP) use “4-AP is For AP“:
For AP (action potential) propagation in Multiple Sclerosis.

Direct sympathomimetic catecholamines DINED:
Dopamine
Isoproterenol
Norepinephrine
Epinephrine
Dobutamine

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, Zovirax.

Nitrofurantoin: major side effects NitroFurAntoin:
Neuropathy (peripheral neuropathy)
Fibrosis (pulmonary fibrosis)
Anemia (hemolytic anemia)

 Cyclosporin Side Effects

4HRT

4H yperkalemia, hypertension, gum hypertrophy, hair

R enal toxicity

T remor

Gynacomastia Causing Drugs

DISCO MTV

D igoxin

I soniazid

S pironolactone

C imetidine

O estrogens

M ethyldopa/metronidazole

T CAD

V erapamil

MAOI Side Effects

The 3Hs

H epatocellular jaundice

H yperthermia

H ypertension

Propranolol, contra-indications

ABCDE

A sthman

B lock (heart)

C ardiac failure

D M (hypoglycemic shock)

E xtremities (occlusive arterial disease)

Pulmonary Edema, Non-Cardiac

PONS

P hosgene/paraquat/phenothiazines

O pioids/organophosphates

N itrous dioxide

S alicylate

TCAD Side Effects

CAN WOO

C VS

A nticholinergic

N euro

W ithdrawal

O verdose

O thers

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

Methyldopa: side effects METHYLDOPA:
Mental retardation
Electrolyte imbalance
Tolerance
Headache/ Hepatotoxicity
psYcological upset
Lactation in female
Dry mouth
Oedema
Parkinsonism
Anaemia (haemolytic)

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)

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

Lead poisoning: presentation ABCDEFG:
Anemia
Basophilic stripping
Colicky pain
Diarrhea
Encephalopathy
Foot drop
Gum (lead line)

Beta-blockers: main contraindications, cautions ABCDE:
Asthma
Block (heart block)
COPD
Diabetes mellitus
Electrolyte (hyperkalemia)

Lupus: drugs inducing it HIP:
Hydralazine
INH
Procanimide

RTI: drugs to treat viral respiratory infections “You’d get
a respiratory infection if you shoot an ARO (arrow) laced with 
viruses into the lungs“:
ARO:
Amantadine
Rimantadine
Oseltamivir

Medication administration: short checklist TRAMP:
· Before dispensing medication, ensure have correct:
Time
Route
Amount
Medication
Patient

Opiates: overdose findings “Cool to the touch, unresponsive
to pain,
Hunger diminished, and scars over vein.
Pupils pinpointed, and blood pressure low,
Urine diminished, and breathing is slow.”

Lithium: side effects LITH:
Leukocytosis
Insipidus [diabetes insipidus, tied to polyuria]
Tremor/ Teratogenesis
Hypothyroidism

SSRIs: side effects SSRI:
Serotonin syndrome
Stimulate CNS
Reproductive disfunctions in male
Insomnia

Metabolism enzyme inducers “Randy’s Black Car
Goes Putt Putt and Smokes“:
Rifampin
Barbiturates
Carbamazepine
Grisoefulvin
Phenytoin
Phenobarb
Smokingcigarettes

Phenobarbitone: side effects Children are annoying (hyperkinesia,
irritability, insomnia, aggression).
Adults are dosy (sedation, dizziness, drowsiness).

Cholinergics (eg organophosphates): effects If you know
these, you will be “LESS DUMB“:
Lacrimation
Excitation of nicotinic synapses
Salivation
Sweating
Diarrhea
Urination
Micturition
Bronchoconstriction

Routes of entry: most rapid ways meds/toxins enter body “Stick
it, Sniff it, Suck it, Soak it”:
Stick = Injection
Sniff = inhalation
Suck = ingestion
Soak = absorption

Hepatic necrosis: drugs causing focal to massive necrosis “Very
Angry Hepatocytes”:
Valproic acid
Acetaminophen
Halothane

Warfarin: action, monitoring WePT:
Warfarin works on the extrinsic pathway and is monitored by PT.

Beta-blockers: side effects “BBC Loses Viewers
In Rochedale”:
Bradycardia
Bronchoconstriction
Claudication
Lipids
Vivid dreams & nightmares
-ve Inotropic action
Reduced sensitivity to hypoglycaemia

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)

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.

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.

Cisplatin: major side effect, action “Ci-Splat–In“:
Major side effect: Splat (vomiting sound)–vomiting so severe that
anti-nausea drug needed.
Action: Goes Into the DNA strand.

Pupils in overdose: morphine vs. amphetamine “MorPHINE:
Fine. AmPHETamine: Fat“:
Morphine overdose: pupils constricted (fine).
Amphetamine overdose: pupils dilated (fat).

Atropine use: tachycardia or bradycardia “A goes with
B“:
Atropine used clinically to treat Bradycardia.

Reserpine action Reserpine depletes the 
Reserves of catecholamines [and serotonin].

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).

Ipratropium: action Atropine is buried in the middle:
iprAtropium, so it behaves like Atropine.

Bleomycin: action “Bleo–Mycin Blows 
My DNA to bits”:
Bleomycin works by fragmenting DNA (blowing it to bits).
MyDNA signals that its used for cancer (targeting self cells).

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.

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.

Corticosteroids: adverse side effects CUSHINGS BAD MD:
Cataracts
Up all night (sleep disturbances)
Suppression of HPA axis
Hypertension/ buffalo Hump
Infections
Necrosis (avascular)
Gain weight
Striae
Bone loss (osteoporosis)
Acne
Diabetes
Myopathy, moon faces
Depression and emotional changes

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