Phamacology(DRugs are killing me)

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Can anyone please assist me in any helpful studying techniques when studying for pharm? I have flash cards, but im not sure if im putting all the information on them that I need. Ex: Naisds I listed all Nsaids (salicylic acids, propionic acid acetic acid cox-2 selective) i also have the different ones on cards. Ex: aspirin,bayer advil motrin ect..... do i syudy mostly the top 100 drugs or all? any help would be greatly appreciated!

thank you

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

I would focus on the class of the drug instead of each individual drug. The MOA for each class is basically going to be the same. So if you know how ibuprofen works, than you know how motrin works, etc.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Welcome to AN! THe largest online nursing community!

Here are some flash cards made by a member. 

https://allnurses.com/pharmacology-flashcards-drug-cards-t394218/

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Hello Esme12,

I wanted to thank you for the response and the links for the cards. Extremely helpful. You have given me hope LOL. Once again thank you.

Pharm (drugs are killing me).

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Specializes in Hem/Onc/BMT.

As mentioned already, study classes of drugs, instead of each individual drugs. Brain retains information better when it's categorized. Study one class of drug -- it's mechanism of action, clinical use, and adverse effects. And then memorize a few individual drugs that belong into that category.

Also, pay attention to the patterns you see in generic names. They often reveal what class they belong to. For example, cephalosporins begin with cef-, corticosteroids end with -sone, beta blockers end with -lol, ACE inhibitors end with -pril...

It's a lot, but don't be overwhelmed. Repetition is the key and study small chunks at a time.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

someting I learned LATER in my career: Know the difference between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. You really only need to know one, as the other is the opposite. Drugs affect one or the other.

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Thanks so much for posting that link

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As stated previously....concentrate on Drug Classes and MOAs. Remember a lot of times drug companies will try to help you categorize drugs (ie -prils = ACEI). Also someone else mentioned this but really review your ANS. Knowing sympathetic vs parasympathetic is key in a lot of drugs.

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As everyone else said learn the drugs by classes. Once you start you'll realise that the classes give you certain clues. Take for instance antihypertensives there are different categories (alpha adrenergic blockers, ACE inhibitors, beta adrenergic blockers, calcium channel blockers) Calcium channel blockers (they end in the suffix "pine" e.g. nifedipine, beta adrenergic blockers (they end in "lol" e.g atenolol)... I've recently started to learn drugs that way and it's really helping a lot

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Thanks for all the help. It truly was helpful. Thank you all

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