Pharmacology Secrets

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Sedative-hypnotic: increases flow through GABAA
channels. Metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase to
acetaldehyde, then by aldehyde dehydrogenase to
acetate. Disulfiram inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase,
causing accumulation of acetaldehyde. Consumes NAD
+ and produces NADH. Zero-order elimination
kinetics, chronically induces its own metabolism.

Back 1

Ethanol

Front 2

Anticonvulsant: 1st line for absence. Blocks
thalamic T-type Ca2+ channels. Tox: GI
distress, lethargy, Stevens-Johnson

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Ethosuximide

Front 3

Bisphosphonates: reduce resorption of bone
by inserting into hydroxyapatite. Used in
Paget’s disease, osteoporosis, PTH-rP
secretion. Tox: severe esophageal ulceration

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Etidronate, pamidronate, alendronate

Front 4

Antineoplastic: inhibits topoisomerase only
during G2. Used in small cell carcinomas.
Tox: myelosuppression

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Etoposide

Front 5

2nd generation antihistamine; does not
enter CNS, little or no sedation

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Fexofenadine, loratadine, desloratadine

Front 6

Steroid inhibitor of 5!-reductase: inhibits
synthesis of DHT, the active androgen in
prostate. Used in BPH.

Back 6

Finasteride

Front 7

Class IC antiarrhythmics. Used for severe,
refractory ventricular arrhythmias. Tox:
propafenone arrhythmogenic,
contraindicated post-MI

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Flecainide, encainide,

Front 8

Antifungal: inhibits fungal and host P450.
Used for more severe infxns than
ketoconazole: Cryptococcal meningitis,
Candida sepsis. No antiandrogenic e#ects.

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Fluconazole, itraconazole

Front 9

Synthetic corticosteroid: high
mineralocorticoid and moderate
glucocorticoid activity; long duration of
action

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Fludrocortisone

Front 10

Benzodiazepine antagonist: used to reverse
CNS depressant e#ects of benzos in
overdose or in anesthesia

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Flumazenil

Front 11

Antineoplastic: pyrimidine antimetabolite (S
phase) that decreases dTMP. Used mainly for
colon ca or superficial tumors. Tox:
myelosuppression not rescuable w/
leucovorin

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5-Fluorouracil

Front 12

SSRI antidepressant. Also used for OCD. Takes
e#ect in 2-3 weeks. Tox: less antimuscarinic,
cardiotoxic; more GI distress and sexual
dysfunction. Causes serotonin syndrome if
used w/ MAOI. Fluoxetine inhibits P450.

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Fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram

Front 13

Androgen receptor antagonist: nonsteroid
that blocks DHT. Used in prostate ca.

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Flutamide

Front 14

Loop diuretic: blocks Na+/K+/2Cl- transporter,
preventing urine concentration. Used for edema
states, hypercalcemia. Can be used in severe
renal disease. Tox: hypokalemia, allergy to sulfa,
ototoxicity, hypovolemia, gout, hypocalcemia.

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Furosemide

Front 15

Anticonvulsant and analgesic: increases CNS
GABA. Used for general and partial seizures
and peripheral neuropathy. Tox: sedation,
ataxia.

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Gabapentin

Front 16

Antiviral: GTP analog that requires activation
by thymidine kinase. Used for CMV. Tox:
neutropenia. Foscarnet does not require
activation.

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Ganciclovir, foscarnet

Front 17

Antilipemics: stimulate lipoprotein lipase to
convert TGs to FAs. Used in
hypertriglyceridemias and mixed
triglyceridemia/hypercholesterolemia. Tox:
liver (increased LFTs), myositis

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Gemfibrozil, clofibrate

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Aminoglycoside: bactericidal, inhibits formation
of initiation complex at the 30S subunit. Used
against all aerobic GNRs as in sepsis, and will
clear out bowels if given chronically or so
intended. Tox: nephrotoxicity (major cause of
acute tubular necrosis), ototoxicity, teratogenic.

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Gentamicin, tobramycin, streptomycin

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Oral hypoglycemics: 2nd generation. Close K
+ channels on " cells, depolarize cell, cause
fusion of insulin vesicles w/ membrane. Tox:
hypoglycemia

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Glipizide, glyburide

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Antifungal: interferes w/ microtubules in
keratinized tissues. Used in topical
dermatophytic infxns.

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Griseofulvin