PHARMACOLOGY MNEMONICS

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

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

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

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

Anticholinergic side effects

Know the ABCD'S of anticholinergic side effects":

Anorexia
Blurry vision
Constipation/ Confusion
Dry Mouth
Sedation/ Stasis of urine

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)

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

Cholinergics (eg organophosphates): effects

If you know these, you will be "LESS DUMB": or SLUDGE

Lacrimation
Excitation of nicotinic synapses
Salivation
Sweating
Diarrhea
Urination
Micturition
Bronchoconstriction

Methyldopa: side effects
METHYLDOPA:

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

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

Antibiotics contraindicated during pregnancy
MCAT:

Metronidazole
Chloramphenicol
Aminoglycoside
Tetracycline

Morphine: side-effects
MORPHINE:

Myosis
Out of it (sedation)
Respiratory depression
Pneumonia (aspiration)
Hypotension
Infrequency (constipation, urinary retention)
Nausea
Emesis

Beta-blockers: main contraindications, cautions
ABCDE:

Asthma
Block (heart block)
COPD
Diabetes mellitus
Electrolyte (hyperkalemia)

ADRS OF CHLORAMPHENICOL

smart boys in girls hostel
B.... bone marrow depression
H...hypersensitivity
I....irritative effects
S.....superinfections
G.....Gray baby syndrome

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)

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

.Ca++ channel blockers: uses
CA++ MASH

Cerebral vasospasm/ CHF
Angina
Migranes
Atrial flutter, fibrillation
Supraventricular tachycardia
Hypertension