Tips and Tricks for Pharmacology

[New 2 iceeYouRN]

So I've been taking pharmacology for the past 4 weeks and it's pretty intense. I read my book and work on the lecture notes but I was just wondering if anyone has found some tools or books that really help you understand pharm? My instructor so far isn't too demanding on us actually knowing the drugs (shocking) but more the understanding of how each class works like anticholinergic.

Please, all advice is appreciated!

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

I failed pharm and took it twice. What really helped me was a book called pharm made insanely easy. That helped with remembering stuff.

Also it is alot easier than you think. When I took it the second time, I was like why did I fail this in the first place? It is just because it is new. I also suggest making cards for drugs and looking at them often. Its like learning a new language the more you see it, the more you will recongize it.

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

The classes are more important, since there's no way that anyone can remember every single drug on the market. However, you do need to know representative drugs from each class. Again, I have to suggest flashcards for these, along with frequently reviewing the cards both by yourself and in small groups. Going through a lecture two or three times and discussing it with people after you've looked the material over yourself can help bunches.

Oh, and take a phys or pathophys course first. There's always the Physiology Coloring Book if you need a review on that, but that's a lot more useful to do before a semester starts rather than doing it on top of the other courses you have to take this term.

[cooliegirl]

im taking pharm now too!. tommorow is our first exam chapters 1-12 im nervous. a girl on this website told me that this book helped her remember the categories and classes. i purchased it, but i havent used it yet..next week after our exam well get into the drugs. it has a lot of animations and funny things to remember the classes.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2228&item=140298342168

im also looking for advice from past students and nurses to tackle this subject and achieve success. anyone with notes that would like to share? i would GREATLY appreciate them. Thank you

[Fermin Hernandez, ADN, ASN, RN]

Pharm is where your phys/anat classes really pay off. anticholinergics, adrenergics, cortical steroids, etc...If you do have a strong science base, think about how the drugs work, then the rest kinda falls in place...most times...

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

...'til you get to the drugs where they're still only guessing how they work. At least they figured out acetaminophen a few years back...