Pharmacology Mnemonics (Important Tricks)

  • ACE inhibitor side effects (CAPTOPRIL)

    1. Cough
    2. Angioneurotic oedema
    3. Proteinuria
    4. Taste disturbance/ Teratogenic in 1st trimester
    5. Other (fatigue, headache)
    6. Potassium increased
    7. Renal impairment
    8. Itch
    9. Low BP (1st dose)
    • Beneficial effects of inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis i.e. paracetamol and NSAIDs (5 A’s)
    1. Analgesia
    2. Antipyretic
    3. Anti-inflammatory
    4. Antithrombotic
    5. Arteriosus (NSAIDs for closure of patent ductus arteriosus)

  • Side effects of systemic corticosteroids (CORTICOSTEROIDS)

  1. Cushing’s syndrome
  2. Osteoporosis
  3. Retardation of growth
  4. Thin skin, easy bruising
  5. Immunosuppression
  6. Cataracts and glaucoma
  7. Oedema
  8. Suppression of HPA axis
  9. Teratogenic
  10. Emotional disturbance
  11. Rise in BP
  12. Obesity (truncal)
  13. Increased hair growth (hirsutism)
  14. Diabetes mellitus
  15. Striae

  • Drugs that potentiate warfarin (O DEVICES)

    1. Omeprazole
    2. Disulfiram
    3. Erythromycin
    4. Valproate
    5. Isoniazid
    6. Ciprofloxacin and Cimetidine
    7. Ethanol (acutely)
    8. Sulphonamides

  • Drugs that decrease the effectiveness of warfarin (PC BRAS)

    1. Phenytoin
    2. Carbamazepine
    3. Barbiturates
    4. Rifampicin
    5. Alcohol (chronic use)
    6. Sulphonylureas

  • Side effects of sodium valproate (VALPROATE)

    1. Vomiting
    2. Alopecia
    3. Liver toxicity
    4. Pancreatitis/ Pancytopenia
    5. Retention of fats (weight gain)
    6. Oedema (peripheral)
    7. Anorexia
    8. Tremor
    9. Enzyme inhibitor