50 Important Pharmacology One-Liners | Quick Revision for Pharmacist Job Tests & Hospital Pharmacy Exams
Cardiovascular Pharmacology
ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril, lisinopril) decrease angiotensin II and aldosterone, causing vasodilation and reduced blood pressure.
ACE inhibitors can cause cough, hyperkalemia, and angioedema and are contraindicated in pregnancy.
ARBs (e.g., losartan) block AT₁ receptors and are alternatives to ACE inhibitors when cough occurs.
Beta-blockers reduce heart rate, contractility, and renin release; common adverse effects include bradycardia and fatigue.
Non-selective beta-blockers such as propranolol can precipitate bronchospasm in patients with asthma.
Dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers such as amlodipine primarily cause vasodilation and may cause peripheral edema.
Verapamil and diltiazem decrease AV-node conduction and can cause bradycardia and AV block.
Loop diuretics such as furosemide are the most potent diuretics and commonly cause hypokalemia.
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing aldosterone antagonist that can cause hyperkalemia and gynecomastia.
Digoxin toxicity may cause nausea, visual disturbances, and cardiac arrhythmias; serum potassium and renal function are important monitoring parameters.
Anticoagulants & Antiplatelets
Warfarin inhibits vitamin K epoxide reductase and prolongs PT/INR; INR is used for monitoring.
Vitamin K is the antidote for warfarin, while severe/life-threatening bleeding may require rapid replacement of clotting factors.
Heparin enhances antithrombin activity and primarily inhibits thrombin and factor Xa.
Protamine sulfate is the antidote for unfractionated heparin.
Low-molecular-weight heparins have greater anti-Xa activity and generally require less routine laboratory monitoring than unfractionated heparin.
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) include apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, and edoxaban.
Idarucizumab reverses dabigatran, while andexanet alfa can reverse the effects of factor Xa inhibitors in appropriate settings.
Aspirin irreversibly inhibits COX-1 in platelets, reducing thromboxane A₂ and platelet aggregation.
Clopidogrel inhibits the platelet P2Y12 ADP receptor and reduces platelet aggregation.
Prasugrel is contraindicated in patients with a history of stroke or TIA.
CNS & Psychiatry
Benzodiazepines enhance GABA-A receptor activity and can cause sedation, respiratory depression, and dependence.
Flumazenil is a benzodiazepine antagonist but should be used cautiously because it can precipitate seizures and withdrawal.
SSRIs increase serotonin availability and are commonly first-line antidepressants for major depressive disorder.
Combining serotonergic drugs can cause serotonin syndrome, characterized by agitation, hyperreflexia, clonus, sweating, and hyperthermia.
MAO inhibitors have numerous drug and food interactions and can cause hypertensive crisis or serotonin syndrome.
Carbamazepine is commonly used for focal seizures but can cause hyponatremia, blood dyscrasias, and serious skin reactions.
Phenytoin can cause gingival hyperplasia, nystagmus, ataxia, and numerous drug interactions.
Levodopa is combined with carbidopa to increase central availability of levodopa by inhibiting peripheral conversion.
Typical antipsychotics strongly block dopamine D₂ receptors and are associated with extrapyramidal symptoms and hyperprolactinemia.
Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis and requires regular blood-count monitoring.
Endocrine & Metabolic
Metformin is a first-line drug for type 2 diabetes and commonly causes gastrointestinal adverse effects; long-term use may reduce vitamin B12 levels.
Metformin should be used cautiously or avoided in significant renal impairment because of the risk of lactic acidosis.
Sulfonylureas increase pancreatic insulin secretion and can cause hypoglycemia and weight gain.
SGLT2 inhibitors increase urinary glucose excretion and can cause genital infections, volume depletion, and euglycemic ketoacidosis.
GLP-1 receptor agonists decrease glucose-dependent glucagon secretion, slow gastric emptying, and promote weight loss.
Insulin is essential for patients with type 1 diabetes because they have an absolute insulin deficiency.
Levothyroxine is the standard treatment for hypothyroidism and should generally be taken consistently on an empty stomach.
Levothyroxine requirements usually increase during pregnancy, so thyroid function requires close monitoring.
Systemic corticosteroids can cause hyperglycemia, hypertension, osteoporosis, infection risk, and adrenal suppression with prolonged use.
Bisphosphonates inhibit osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and are commonly used to treat osteoporosis.
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Antimicrobials
Penicillins and cephalosporins inhibit bacterial cell-wall synthesis by binding penicillin-binding proteins.
Vancomycin inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis and is particularly important for serious infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive organisms.
Aminoglycosides such as gentamicin and amikacin can cause nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.
Fluoroquinolones inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV and may cause tendinopathy and QT prolongation.
Macrolides inhibit bacterial protein synthesis at the 50S ribosomal subunit and may cause QT prolongation and drug interactions.
Tetracyclines bind the 30S ribosomal subunit and can cause photosensitivity and teeth/bone effects; they are generally avoided during pregnancy and in young children.
TMP-SMX inhibits sequential steps in bacterial folate synthesis and can cause hyperkalemia, rash, and bone-marrow suppression.
Rifampin strongly induces hepatic CYP enzymes and can significantly reduce the effectiveness of many medications, including hormonal contraceptives.
Metronidazole is active against many anaerobic bacteria and certain protozoa and can cause a metallic taste and gastrointestinal effects.
Antibiotic-associated Clostridioides difficile infection commonly presents with diarrhea and should be considered after recent antibiotic exposure.
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