Pharmacology Mnemonics
The best medication mnemonics for medical student finals, OSCEs and MRCP
ACE inhibitor side effects (CAPTOPRIL)
-
- Cough
- Angioneurotic oedema
- Proteinuria
- Taste disturbance/ Teratogenic in 1st trimester
- Other (fatigue, headache)
- Potassium increased
- Renal impairment
- Itch
- Low BP (1st dose)
Beneficial effects of inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis i.e. paracetamol and NSAIDs (5 A’s)
-
- Analgesia
- Antipyretic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antithrombotic
- Arteriosus (NSAIDs for closure of patent ductus arteriosus)
Side effects of systemic corticosteroids (CORTICOSTEROIDS)
-
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Osteoporosis
- Retardation of growth
- Thin skin, easy bruising
- Immunosuppression
- Cataracts and glaucoma
- Oedema
- Suppression of HPA axis
- Teratogenic
- Emotional disturbance
- Rise in BP
- Obesity (truncal)
- Increased hair growth (hirsutism)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Striae
Drugs that potentiate warfarin (O DEVICES)
-
- Omeprazole
- Disulfiram
- Erythromycin
- Valproate
- Isoniazid
- Ciprofloxacin and Cimetidine
- Ethanol (acutely)
- Sulphonamides
Drugs that decrease the effectiveness of warfarin (PC BRAS)
-
- Phenytoin
- Carbamazepine
- Barbiturates
- Rifampicin
- Alcohol (chronic use)
- Sulphonylureas
Side effects of sodium valproate (VALPROATE)
-
- Vomiting
- Alopecia
- Liver toxicity
- Pancreatitis/ Pancytopenia
- Retention of fats (weight gain)
- Oedema (peripheral)
- Anorexia
- Tremor
- Enzyme inhibitor