Topnotch Medical Board Prep Pharmacology Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary-style flashcards based on the Topnotch Medical Board Prep Pharmacology handout, covering basic principles, autonomic, cardiovascular, CNS, and specific drug toxicities.

Drugs

Any substance that changes biologic function through its chemical actions.

Pharmacodynamics

The study of how drugs act on the body, including mechanisms of action, receptor interactions, and effects.

Pharmacokinetics

The study of how the body acts on a drug, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Receptors

Specific molecules in a biologic system with which drugs interact to produce changes; includes a recognition site or specific binding region.

Therapeutic Index Formula

$Therapeutic\,Index = \frac{TD_{50}}{ED_{50}}$, where $TD_{50}$ is the Median Toxic Dose and $ED_{50}$ is the Median Effective Dose.

Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs Mnemonic

"Amp.. Ang sikip if Car Farin. PaPaLit Daw Tayo ng Van!": Amphotericin B, Aminoglycosides, Carbamazepine, Warfarin, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Lithium, Digoxin, Theophylline, Vancomycin.

Physiologic Antagonist

A drug that binds to a DIFFERENT receptor than the agonist but has the capacity of producing an opposite effect; for example, Histamine and Epinephrine.

Chemical Antagonist

An agent that interacts directly with the drug being antagonized to remove it or prevent it from reaching its target (e.g., directly attacking the drug molecule).

LUNA

Mnemonic for properties of drugs that favor absorption: Lipid soluble, Unionized, Neutral are Absorbed.

Bioavailability

Reflects the fraction of administered drug that reaches the systemic circulation.

Key Phase I Reactions

Oxidation, Reduction, and Hydrolysis.

CYP Inducers Mnemonic

"PRC! G, aral na!": Phenytoin, Rifampicin, Carbamazepine, Chronic Alcohol, Griseofulvin.

Zero-order Kinetics

Elimination of a constant amount of drug per unit time due to enzyme saturation; examples include "PEA" (Phenytoin, Ethanol, Aspirin).

Aflatoxins

Toxin associated with moldy peanuts or rice and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC).

Phocomelia

A teratogenic condition (seal limbs) caused by the drug Thalidomide.

DUMBELLS

Mnemonic for cholinergic toxicity: Diarrhea, Diaphoresis, Urination, Miosis, Bradycardia (or tachycardia if nicotinic), Emesis, Lacrimation, Lethargy, and Salivation.

Alice in Wonderland

Mnemonic for anti-cholinergic toxicity: Hot as a hare (hyperthermia), Dry as a bone (decreased secretions), Red as a beet (cutaneous vasodilation), Blind as a bat (cycloplegia and mydriasis), Mad as a hatter (CNS toxicity).

Bethanechol

A muscarinic agonist used for urinary retention, post-op, and diabetic bladder neuropathy by causing detrusor muscle contraction.

Edrophonium

Agent used in the Tensilon test for the diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis.

Alzheimer’s Treatment Mnemonic

"Si Don Pepe Pa gala-gala sa Riva May dementia at sobrang mema": Donepezil, Galantamine, Rivastigmine (Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors) and Memantine (NMDA antagonist).

Scopolamine

Also known as "Devil’s Breath," it is a muscarinic antagonist used for motion sickness.

Clonidine

An Alpha-2 agonist known to cause rebound hypertension if stopped abruptly.

Isoproterenol

A non-selective $\beta_{1}=\beta_{2}=\beta_{3}$ agonist used in asthma, with side effects including cardiovascular disturbance and arrhythmia.

Tamsulosin

The most selective alpha-1 blocker for prostatic smooth muscle, used in the treatment of BPH.

NaBaKlaCa

Mnemonic for the mechanism of action for each class of antiarrhythmics: Class 1 (Na channel blockers), 2 (Beta blockers), 3 (K/Bakla channel blockers), 4 (Ca channel blockers).

Amiodarone

The most efficacious of all antiarrhythmic drugs; side effects include microcrystalline corneal/skin deposits (blue-gray discoloration), thyroid dysfunction, pulmonary fibrosis, and teratogenicity.

Adenosine

The drug of choice for narrow-complex SVT with a very short half-life of $15\,sec$; side effects include a sense of impending doom.

HYPER-GLUC

Mnemonic for the side effects of Thiazide diuretics: HyperGlycemia, HyperLipidemia, HyperUricemia, and HyperCalcemia.

OH DANG

Mnemonic for the side effects of Loop diuretics: Ototoxicity, Hypokalemia, Dehydration, Allergy to sulfa, Nephritis, and Gout.

Triple Response of Lewis

A classic demonstration of histamine effect characterized by Wheal, Flush, and Flare.

Sumatriptan

A $5\text{-HT}_{1D}$ agonist and the drug of choice for acute migraine; side effects include chest pain or tightness.

Misoprostol

A $PGE_1$ analog used for NSAID-induced ulcers; it has a teratogenic effect known as Moebius sequence.

3Cs of TCA Overdose

Coma, Convulsions, and Cardiotoxicity (including Cardiomyopathies and Arrhythmias).

Clozapine

The drug of choice for refractory and suicidal schizophrenia; it requires weekly CBC monitoring due to the risk of agranulocytosis.

Ebstein’s anomaly

A teratogenic effect of Lithium involving the atrialization of the right ventricle.

Z drugs

Zolpidem, Zaleplon, and Eszopiclone; novel drugs used for insomnia and sleep disorders that are faster acting and safer than traditional agents.

MAC (Minimum Alveolar Anesthetic concentration)

The best measure of potency of inhaled anesthetics; it is INDIRECTLY proportional with potency (lower MAC equals higher potency).

Malignant Hyperthermia

A life-threatening condition triggered by volatile anesthetics (except nitrous oxide) and succinylcholine due to $RYR$ mutations; treated with Dantrolene.

Naloxone

The drug of choice used as the rescue antidote for Opioid overdose.

NAPQI (N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine)

A toxic metabolite formed by $CYP2E1$ oxidation that causes liver injury in paracetamol overdose.

Samter triad

A clinical condition consisting of sensitivity to Aspirin, Asthma, and Nasal Polyps.

Allopurinol

An irreversible inhibitor of xanthine oxidase used for gout; side effects include GI upset, hypersensitivity (SJS), and bone marrow suppression.

Wolf-Chaikoff effect

The phenomenon where ingestion of iodine causes hypothyroidism.

PTU (Propylthiouracil)

The drug of choice for hyperthyroidism in the first trimester; it inhibits $TPO$ and peripheral $T_{4} \rightarrow T_{3}$ conversion, but carries a black box warning for acute fulminant hepatitis.

ACO Mnemonic

Triple therapy for H. pylori: Amoxicillin (or Metronidazole), Clarithromycin, and Omeprazole (or any PPI).

Gray baby syndrome

A serious adverse effect of Chloramphenicol, which is a 50s protein synthesis inhibitor.

Rs of Rifampicin

RNA polymerase inhibitor, Red-orange body fluids, Rapid development of resistance, and Revs up cytochrome P450 (inducer).

MESNA

The rescue therapy used to prevent hemorrhagic cystitis caused by cyclophosphamide toxicity.