Get all the quick facts you need to know before your pharmacology exam.
Medication Classifications You’ll Need to Know
- Antacids – Reduce hydrochloric acid located in the stomach.
- Antianemics – Increases the production of red blood cells.
- Anticholinergics – Decreases oral secretions.
- Anticoagulants – Prevents the formation of clots.
- Anticonvulsants – Management of seizures or bipolar disorders.
- Antidiarrheals – Reduce water in bowels and gastric motility.
- Antihistamines – Blocks the release of histamine.
- Antihypertensives – Decreases blood pressure.
- Anti-infectives – To get rid of infections.
- Bronchodilators – Dilates the bronchi and bronchioles.
- Diuretics – Increases excretion of water/sodium from body.
- Laxatives – Loosens stools and increases bowel movements.
- Miotics – Constricts pupils of the eye.
- Mydriatics – Dilates the pupils.
- Narcotics/analgesics – Relieves pain.
NCLEX Pharmacology Medical Suffixes
- -amil = calcium channel blockers
- -caine = local anesthetics
- -dine = anti-ulcer agents (H2 histamine blockers)
- -done = opioid analgesics
- -ide = oral hypoglycemics
- -lam = anti-anxiety agents
- -oxacin = broad spectrum antibiotics
- -micin = antibiotics
- -mide = diuretics
- -mycin = antibiotics
- -nuim = neuromuscular blockers
- -olol = beta blockers
- -pam = anti-anxiety agents
- -pine = calcium channel blockers
- -pril = ace inhibitors
- -sone = steroids
- -statin =antihyperlipidemics
- -vir = anti-virais
- -zide = diuretics
NCLEX Pharmacology Antidotes
- Coumadin = Vitamin K
- Benzodiazepines = Romazicon (Flumazenil)
- Magnesium Sulfate = Calcium Gluconate
- Heparin = Protamine Sulfate
- Tylenol = Mucomyst
- Opiates = Narcotic analgesics, heroin morphine, Narcan (Naloxone)
- Cholinergic Meds = Atropine, pralidoxime (2-PAM)
- Digoxin = Digiband
- Acetaminophen = n-Acetylcysteine
- Iron = Deferoxamine
- Alcohol Withdrawal = Librium
- Anticholinergics = Physostigmine
- Beta Blockers = Glucagon
- Methotrexate = Leucovorin
- Anticoagulants = Vitamin K, FFP
- Aspirin = Sodium bicarbonate
- Calcium Channel Blocker = Calcium, glucagon, insulin
- Cyanide = Tydroxycobalamin, any nitrite, sodium thiosulfate
- Hydrofluoric acid = Calcium Gluconate
- Insulin = Glucose
- Isoniazid = Deferoxamine
- Methanol = Ethanol
- Ethylene glycol = Fomepizole, ethanol
- Methemoglobin = Methylene blue
- Tricyclic antidepressant = Sodium bicarbonate
NCLEX Pharmacology Quick Tips You’ll Need
- Administer librium during alcohol withdrawal.
- Antabuse is given for alcohol deterrence. Do not take over the counter cough medicine.
- When taking hypertensive medications, teach patient about orthostatic hypotension. Patient must change positions slowly.
- Administer diuretics in the morning so patient doesn’t constantly wake up to urinate.
- Do not given grapefruits with: Buspar, Veramapmil, Tegretol, and Simvastatin
- Rifampin turns urination orange.
- Digoxin = Side effects are increased when the patient is hypokalemic. Monitor the potassium. Digoxin has a negative chronotropic effect (slows the heart rate). Hold the dose if heart rate is less than 60.
- Digitalis toxicity = bradycardia, tachycardia, dysrhythmias, nausea, vomiting, and headache. Contact physician as soon as possible.
- MAOIs – Do not give food with tyramine as it may cause hypertensive crisis.
- Do not give tetracycline at bed time. Do not let patients lie down because it might cause gastric reflux.
- Do not give metformin to someone having procedures with contrast dye. Metformin can cause acute renal failure.
- Drawing insulin – (RN), Draw up regular before drawing up NPH.
- Never give potassium in IV push.
- When giving loop diuretics, watch for potassium depletion.
- Disulfiram is given to alcoholics to curb impulsive drinking.
- Dopamine treats cardiogenic shock.
- Propranolol is contraindicated in patients with bronchial asthma.
- Anticholinergic effect – patient won’t be able to spit, pee, poop, or see.
- Carbamazepine is contraindicated within 14 days of MAOI administration.
- Anticoagulant drugs – Monitor PTT for heparin and monitor platelet count, bleeding, and s/s infection.
- Carafate is taken before meals.
- Tagamet is taken with food.
- Antacids is taken after meals.
