Pharmacology Mnemonics

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Iodine
2008-05-16 00:38:00
Name: Iodine Class: Mechanism: 80% contained in thyroglobulin. Absorption: Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Utility: Special Features: Deficiency ® endemic goiter. Excess (>20 x RDA) ® blocked organification of iodine ® myxedema.

Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
2008-05-16 00:38:00
Name: Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) Class: Mechanism: Necessary for folate Metabolismolism and DNA synth. Maintains myelinization of spinal cord tracts. Absorption: Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Utility: Special Features: Vegan diet ® deficiency ® megaloblastic pernicious anemia and degeneration of posterolateral spinal cord tracts. If patient is deficient in B12 and folate, replace B12­ first to avoid irreversible neuro damage. Liver damage ® ­ need.

Biotin
2008-05-16 00:37:00
Name: Biotin Class: Mechanism: Incorporated in coenzyme A. Absorption: Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Utility: Special Features: Some antibiotics kill gut microbes that synthesize biotin.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
2008-05-16 00:36:00
Name: Vitamin B3 (Niacin) Class: Mechanism: Incorporated into NAD and NADP. Absorption: Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Utility: Special Features: Deficiency ® pellagra (dementia, dermatitis, diarrhea). Penicillamine, hydralazine, and isoniazid complex w/B6 ® ¯ B6. B6 is a cofactor of tryptophan ® nicotinic acid conversion. Results in ¯ B3.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
2008-05-15 23:32:00
Name: Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) Class: Mechanism: Derivatives serve as coenzymes in many intermed. rxns. Absorption: Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Megadose—severe (often irreversible) sensory neuropathy Utility: Special Features: Deficiency ® cheilosis, glossitis, dermatitis, peripheral neuropathy. Liver damage ® ­ need. Penicillamine, hydralazine, and isoniazid complex w/B6 ® ¯ B6. B6 is a cofactor of tryptophan ® nicotinic acid conversion. Results in ¯ B3. Pregnancy ® ­ B6 demand.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
2008-05-15 23:28:00
Name: Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Class: Mechanism: Coenzyme in decarboxylation rxns. Facilitates conduction of impulses in peripheral nerves. Absorption: Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Utility: Special Features: Deficiency ® dry & wet beriberi, Wernicke-Korsakoff’s synd. RDA directly proportional to caloric intake. Deficiency common in alcoholics.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
2008-05-15 23:26:00
Name: Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Class: Mechanism: Converted to coenzymes FMN and FAD. Absorption: Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Utility: Special Features: Deficiency ® ariboflavinosis, cheilosis, stomatitis, glossitis, dermatitis, corneal vascularization.

Vitamin K
2008-05-15 23:22:00
Name: Vitamin K Class: Mechanism: Cofactor in hepatic carboxylation of procoagulants—factors II, VII, IX, and X. Absorption: Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Utility: Antagonize coumarin anticoagulation (min. dose = 60-100 x RDA). Infants given injxn (infant GI tract lacks microbes that produce vitamin K). Special Features: Deficiency ® bleeding diathesis. Some antibiotics kill gut microbes that synthesize vitamin K. Bishydroxycoumarin antagonizes effects of vitamin K. Prolonged use of large dose salicylates block vitamin K actions in prothrombin synth. ® hypoprothrombinemia.

Vitamin E
2008-05-12 20:44:00
Name: Vitamin Vitamin Class: Mechanism: Fat soluble antioxidant. Scavenges free radicals. Conc. in adipose tissue. Absorption: Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Diarrhea, headache. Utility: Large doses may reduce rate of buildup of atherosclerotic plaques in coronary arteries and protect against stroke and heart disease. Special Features: RDA directly proportional to intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Deficiency ® spinocerebellar degeneration.
More About: Vitamin E

Ofloxacin (Floxin)
2008-05-12 20:43:00
Name: Ofloxacin (Floxin) Class: Fluorinated quinolone Mechanism: Inhib bact. DNA gyrase (topoisomerase II). Bactericidal. Absorption: Oral admin. Distrib.: Good tissue penetration. Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Usu. not severe. GI, CNS. Not for pregnant or nursing women or prepubertal children. Utility: UTIs due to Enterobacteriaceae, Enteroccus, Staph, Pseudomonas. Infectious diarrhea. Special Features: Broader spectrum than nonfluorinated quinolones. For diarrhea, treat until symptoms resolve, or no longer than 3 days.

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
2008-05-12 19:42:00
Name: Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) Class: Fluorinated quinolone Mechanism: Inhib bact. DNA gyrase (topoisomerase II). Bactericidal. Absorption: Rapid absorption after oral admin. Distrib.: Good tissue penetration. Poor CSF. Metabolism.: Partial hepatic Metabolism. Excretion, t½: Glomerular filtration, secretion. Also feces, bile, sputum. 4 hr. Toxicity/S.E.s: Usu. not severe. GI, CNS, arthropathy. Not for pregnant or nursing women or prepubertal children. Utility: Upper and lower UTIs, DOC for Pseudomonas UTIs. Active against aerobic gram- bacilli, H. influenzae, Neisseria. Good for several causes of infectious diarrhea, osteomyelitis, and patients w/CF. Special Features: Broader spectrum than nonfluorinated quinolones. For diarrhea, treat until symptoms resolve, or no longer than 3 days.

Norfloxacin (Noroxin)
2008-05-12 18:42:00
Name: Norfloxacin (Noroxin) Class: Fluorinated quinolone Mechanism: Inhib bact. DNA gyrase (topoisomerase II). Bactericidal. Absorption: Oral admin. Distrib.: Good tissue penetration. Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Usu. not severe. GI, CNS. Not for pregnant or nursing women or prepubertal children. Utility: UTIs due to Enterobacteriaceae, Enteroccus, Staph, Pseudomonas. Infectious diarrhea. Special Features: Broader spectrum than nonfluorinated quinolones. For diarrhea, treat until symptoms resolve, or no longer than 3 days.

Folic Acid
2008-05-12 17:45:00
Name: Folic Acid Class: Mechanism: Essential for transfer and utilization of 1-carbon units in DNA synth. Absorption: Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Utility: Recommended for all premenopausal women at dose of 2 x RDA ® reduced risk of neural tube defects. Lowers homocysteine, reduces risk of heart disease. May lower risk of cervical cancer. Treat folate-responsive schizophrenia (50-150 x RDA ® ¯ buildup of urinary homocysteine ® ¯ psychiatric symptoms). Special Features: Deficiency ® megaloblastic anemia. Alcoholism ® ¯ folate absorption. Pregnancy ® ­ folate demand.

Vitamin A
2008-05-12 17:44:00
Name: Vitamin A Class: Mechanism: Component of visual pigment. Maintains specialized epithelia and resistance to infxn. Absorption: Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Megadose—teratogenic (face, head, brain, heart), thickening of the leg bones, ­ intracranial pressure. Utility: Special Features: Deficiency ® night blindness, xerophthalmia, blindness, squamous metaplasia, infxn vulnerability (esp. measles). Liver damage ® ­ need.
More About: Vitamin A

Vitamin D
2008-05-12 17:43:00
Name: Vitamin D Class: Mechanism: Facilitates intest. absorption of Ca2+ and PO43-, and mineralization of bone. Absorption: Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Megadose—hypercalcemia. Utility: Special Features: Quasi-vitamin—synthesized in humans. RDA inversely proportional to amount of UV light exposure. Deficiency ® rickets (kids), osteomalacia (adults).
More About: Vitamin D

Vitamin C
2008-05-12 17:43:00
Name: Vitamin C Class: Mechanism: Absorption: Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Diarrhea. Megadose—diarrhea, kidney stones, precipitation of sickle cell crisis, transient infertility, altered renal secretion of weak acids and bases. Utility: Large doses may reduce rate of buildup of atherosclerotic plaques in coronary arteries and protect against stroke and heart disease. Special Features: TB pts. probably need 2x normal amount of vitamin C.

Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra)
2008-05-12 17:42:00
Name: Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra) Class: Antimicrobial Mechanism: Acts on two sequential steps in synth of folic acid. PABA competitive inhib, dihydrofolate reductase inhib. Bacteriostatic. Absorption: Oral, IV Distrib.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Megaloblastic anemia, leukopenia, granulocytopenia (prevented by admin. of folic acid) Utility: Uncomp. UTIs, otitis media, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, various pneumonias. DOC for Travelers’ diarrhea (esp. in kids), P. carinii pneumonia, Shigella enteritis, systemic Salmonella infects, prostatitis. Special Features: Trimethoprim = highly selective inhib. of bacterial dihydrofolate reductase. For diarrhea, treat until symptoms resolve, or no longer than 3 days.

Difenoxin-Atropine (Motofen)
2008-05-12 17:41:00
Name: Difenoxin-Atropine (Motofen) Class: Opioid (Antidiarrheal) Mechanism: Increased gastric tone ® delayed gastric emptying. ­ tone and ¯ propulsive peristaltic waves in large intest. ® ¯ gut motility. Effects due to inhib. of ACh release by neurons in the intest. wall. Naloxone sensitive. Absorption: Oral Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Recommended dose ® dizziness, drowsiness, mild euphoria. Excessive doses ® pronounced euphoria, potentially serious respiratory depression (may not be evident until 12-30 hr later). ¯ peristalsis ® ¯ evacuation of bacteria and toxins. Use w/great caution in kids. Potentiates effects of barbiturate, tranquilizers, alcohol, other narcotics. Hypertensive crisis w/MAOI. Utility: Antidiarrheal. Special Features: Difenoxin has 5x potency of diphenoxylate. Atropine included primarily to prevent drug abuse. Kids esp. sensitive to atropine toxicity.

Loperamide (Imodium)
2008-05-11 20:02:00
Name: Loperamide (Imodium) Class: Opioid (Antidiarrheal) (OTC) Mechanism: Increased gastric tone ® delayed gastric emptying. Increase tone and decreased propulsive peristaltic waves in large intest. ® decreased gut motility. Effects due to inhib. of ACh release by neurons in the intest. wall. Naloxone sensitive. Anti-secretory effect (non-naloxone sensitive). Absorption: Oral Dist.: 90% ® GI tract and liver. Very little CNS. Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: ¯ peristalsis ® ¯ evacuation of bacteria and toxins. Utility: Antidiarrheal. Traveler’s Diarrhea. Special Features: No abuse liability. Preferred anti-diarrheal of the opioids. Less potential for analgesia, respiratory depression, and addiction than other opioids. Much safer than other opioids. Longer lasting effects than diphenoxylate.

Paregoric
2008-05-11 20:02:00
Name: Paregoric Class: Opioid (Antidiarrheal) Mechanism: Preparation of oral morphine, anise oil, benzoic acid, camphor, diluted alcohol, and glycerin. Increased gastric tone ® delayed gastric emptying. ­ tone and ¯ propulsive peristaltic waves in large intest. ® ¯ gut motility. Effects due to inhib. of ACh release by neurons in the intest. wall. Naloxone sensitive. Absorption: Oral Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Utility: Antidiarrheal. Special Features:

Diphenoxylate-Atropine (Lomotil)
2008-05-11 20:01:00
Name: Diphenoxylate-Atropine (Lomotil) Class: Opioid (Antidiarrheal) Mechanism: Increased gastric tone ® delayed gastric emptying. ­ tone and ¯ propulsive peristaltic waves in large intest. ® ¯ gut motility. Effects due to inhib. of ACh release by neurons in the intest. wall. Naloxone sensitive. Absorption: Oral Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Recommended dose ® dizziness, drowsiness, mild euphoria. Excessive doses ® pronounced euphoria, potentially serious respiratory depression (may not be evident until 12-30 hr later). ¯ peristalsis ® ¯ evacuation of bacteria and toxins. Use w/great caution in kids. Potentiates effects of barbiturate, tranquilizers, alcohol, other narcotics. Hypertensive crisis w/MAOI. Utility: Antidiarrheal. Special Features: Atropine included primarily to prevent drug abuse. Kids esp. sensitive to atropine toxicity.

Kaolin-Pectin (Kaopectate)
2008-05-11 20:00:00
Name: Kaolin-Pectin (Kaopectate) Class: Antidiarrheal Drug (Hydrophilic Agent/Absorbent) Mechanism: Kaolin + pectin. Absorb water, bacteria, virus, toxins, bile acids. Decrease fluidity of formed stool. Absorption: Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: May increase water and electrolyte loss. May absorb nutrients, folate, drugs. Utility: Treat diarrhea. Special Features: Not terribly effective.

Docusates (Colace, Doxinate)
2008-05-11 20:00:00
Name: Docusates (Colace, Doxinate) Class: Laxative Mechanism: Anionic surfactant. Becomes emulsified w/stool ® softer feces, easier passage. Requires 1-3 days for action. Absorption: Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: May increase intestinal absorption of other drugs. Don’t use w/lubricant oils. May be mutagenic to cultured liver cells. Utility: Laxative. Use limited to keeping stool soft. Special Features: Only a minimal laxative effect at recommended dosage.

Lubricant Oils (mineral oil, olive oil, etc.)
2008-05-11 18:29:00
Name: Lubricant Oils (mineral oil, olive oil, etc.) Class: Laxative Mechanism: Coat stomach contents, change consistency of stool, reduce water absorption. Absorption: Oral, enema. Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Oil absorption ® foreign body rxn. Possible lipid pneumonia. Decreased absorption of fat-soluble nutrients. Utility: Laxative. Mineral oil enemas relieve fecal impaction. Special Features: Seldom given orally, as better agents are available.
More About: Olive Oil , Olive

Lactulose (Constilac, Cephulac)
2008-05-11 18:28:00
Name: Lactulose (Constilac, Cephulac) Class: Laxative (Osmotic Laxative) Mechanism: Galactose-fructose disaccharide ® osmotic effect in small intest. In colon, Metabolism. by bacteria to lactic, formic, and acetic acids ® osmotic effect. Absorption: Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Not for use in pts on low galactose diets. Antacids can block fecal acidification (® ¯ effect on portal-systemic encephalopathy). Neomycin interferes w/lactulose action. Utility: 1° use = symptomatic treatment of portal-systemic encephalopathy assoc. w/chronic liver disease. Acidified feces ® ­ NH4+ excretion. Routine purgation. Special Features: May be preferred for elderly patients for routine purgation, but expensive.

Tranexamic Acid (Amstat)
2008-04-14 22:37:00
Name: Tranexamic Acid (Amstat) Class: Thrombolytic Agent Antagonist Mechanism: Competitive inhib. of plasminogen activation. Absorption: Oral. Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Utility: Used for hemostasis in pts. undergoing oral surgery who are being treated w/oral anticoagulants. Special Features:

Aminocaproic Acid (Amicar)
2008-04-14 22:37:00
Name: Aminocaproic Acid (Amicar) Class: Thrombolytic Agent Antagonist Mechanism: Lysine analog. Binds to lysine sites on plasminogen and plasmin ® blocks binding of plasmin to fibrin. Absorption: IV (slow injxn). Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Thrombi that form during treatment are not lysed. Thrombosis may become a problem. Utility: Treat bleeding from fibrinolytic therapy. Special Features:

Quinidine (Quinidex)
2008-04-14 22:37:00
Name: Quinidine (Quinidex) Class: Antidysrhythmic Agent (Class IA) Mechanism: Binds to open and inactivated Na+ channels and prevents Na+ influx ® slowing of the rapid upstroke during phase 0. Also decreases the slope of phase 4 spontaneous depolarization. Prolongs repolarization. Inhibits arrhythmias due to ­ normal automaticity. Intermed. speed of dissociation from Na+ channels. Absorption: Oral ® rapid, nearly complete absorption. Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Proarrhythmic effects, negative inotropy, infranodal conduction block, DILQT. Cinchonism—n/v/d, tinnitus, headache, vertigo, auditory/visual disturbances. Hypotension (a-blocking activity). ­ digoxin levels. Hypersensitivity rxns—rash, fever, angioneurotic edema, hepatitis. Reversible thrombocytopenia. Utility: Treat atrial, AV junctional, & ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Maintain sinus rhythm after direc...

Tissue Plasminogen Activator, tPA (Activase)
2008-04-14 22:36:00
Name: Tissue Plasminogen Activator, tPA (Activase) Class: Antithrombotic Agent (Thrombolytic Agent) Mechanism: Recombinant product identical to endothelial tPA. Preferentially activates plasminogen that is bound to fibrin ® greater clot specificity and potentially less systemic fibrinolysis than w/streptokinase. Absorption: IV. Prolonged admin. necessary (generally given over 3 hr.). “Accelerated” regimen admin. over 90 min. (2/3 given w/in 1st 30 min.) Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Short t½. Toxicity/S.E.s: Hemorrhage. Utility: Treat acute MI (w/in 6 hr. of symptoms), massive PE, acute proximal vein thromboses, occlusion of dialysis access sites and indwelling catheters, occlusion of prosthetic heart valves. Special Features: Best results in pts. that receive therapy Expensive—several times more costly than streptokinase.

Urokinase (Abbokinase)
2008-04-14 22:36:00
Name: Urokinase (Abbokinase) Class: Antithrombotic Agent (Thrombolytic Agent) Mechanism: Urinary-type single chain plasminogen activator. Isolated from cultured human kidney cells. Absorption: Dist.: Metabolism.: Excretion, t½: Toxicity/S.E.s: Hemorrhage. Utility: Treat acute MI (w/in 6 hr. of symptoms), massive PE, acute proximal vein thromboses, occlusion of dialysis access sites and indwelling catheters, occlusion of prosthetic heart valves. Special Features: Best results in pts. that receive therapy Generally non-antigenic. Does not cause allergic rxns.