Pharmacology Corner » Mnemonics

Pharmacology mnemonic: drugs that induce enzymatic metabolism

Flavio Guzmán, MD — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:13:37 +0000

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

Thanks to MedExcel

Serotonin syndrome

Flavio Guzmán, MD — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:34:17 +0000

Serotonin syndrome is a predictable clinical feature that involves excess serotonergic agonism of central nervous system (CNS) receptors and peripheral serotonergic receptors.

The following PowerPoint was published on Stanford School of Medicine’s Scalpel:

Serotoninn syndrome features

Download: Serotonin syndrome PPT file

MedExcel posted recently a mnemonic to remember the clinical components of serotonin syndrome

Causes HARM:

Hyperthermia
Autonomic instability (delirium)
Rigidity
Myoclonus

Mnemonic to remember which benzodiazepines don’t have hepatic metabolism

Flavio Guzmán, MD — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:24:21 +0000

Benzodiazepines: ones not metabolized by the liver (safe to use in liver failure)
LOT:
Lorazepam
Oxazepam
Temazepam

Thanks to MedExcel

Remember to check the animation on the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines.

Opioid antagonists mnemonic. Naloxone and naltrexone

Flavio Guzmán, MD — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:40:50 +0000

A quite simple but effective mnemonic from MedExcel:

Narcotic antagonists

The Narcotic Antagonists are NAloxone and NAltrexone.

_ Important clinically to treat narcotic overdose.

Phenytoin adverse effects mnemonic

Flavio Guzmán, MD — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:44:51 +0000

Phenytoin: adverse effects

PHENYTOIN:
P-450 interactions
Hirsutism
Enlarged gums (Gingival hyperplasia, the most common)
Nystagmus
Yellow-browning of skin
Teratogenicity
Osteomalacia
Interference with B12 metabolism (hence anemia)
Neuropathies: vertigo, ataxia, headache

Thanks to MedExcel

Mnemonic for drugs used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease

Flavio Guzmán, MD — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:59:47 +0000

Parkinsonism: drugs

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

Mnemonic for direct sympathomimetic catecholamines

Flavio Guzmán, MD — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:31:27 +0000

Direct sympathomimetic catecholamines mnemonic

DINED:
Dopamine
Isoproterenol
Norepinephrine
Epinephrine
Dobutamine

Thanks to MedExcel

Pharmacology mnemonic. Inhalational anaesthetics

Flavio Guzmán, MD — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 03:15:37 +0000

Inhalational anesthetics
SHINE:
Sevoflurane
Halothane
Isoflurane
Nitrous oxide
Enflurane

Thanks to MedExcel

Pharmacology mnemonics. Direct sympathomimetic catecholamines

Flavio Guzmán, MD — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:36:41 +0000

Direct sympathomimetic catecholamines
DINED:
Dopamine
Isoproterenol
Norepinephrine
Epinephrine
Dobutamine

Thanks to MedExcel

Pharmacology mnemonic. Anticholinergic side effects

Flavio Guzmán, MD — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:57:08 +0000

Anticholinergic side effects

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

Thanks to MedExcel