In this post we are going to discuss about the Pharmacology study tips, Important learning or questions topics and guidance of exam passing preparation with good score.
We are going to discuss about the :
- Meaning/Definition
- How to read the Subject
- What are the important topics
- How to perform well in the viva table
- How to score well in the University exam
Meaning/ Definition :
Pharmacology is the study of the Drugs. A drug may be described as any artificial, natural, or endogenous (from within the body) molecule that exerts a biochemical or physiological impact on the cell, tissue, organ, or organism, and pharmacology is a branch of medicine and pharmaceutical sciences concerned with drug or medication activity. It is the study of how chemicals interact with living organisms to impact normal or pathological biochemical function. Pharmaceuticals are defined as chemicals that have therapeutic effects.
How to read the subject :
The most interesting subject of 2nd year MBBS. Surely you are going to fall in love with this subject. Focus on General pharmacology as much as you can. Because here the basic idea of all the mechanisms are present.
Now come to concept, so for detail concept making you ca Dr. Najeeb lectures. In this lecture series you will find detail video discussion of every topic. So make sure you are doing Dr. Najeeb Sir’s Lectures.
Then from each chapters you need to know the different drugs which acts and their mechanism of action,Classification, Indications, Side effects.
Just try to find out the mechanism of action of every drugs, then you by yourself can assume the effects on the body.
Now the the part comes where you are facing the new long name of the drugs. Unfortunately, you have to remember the names of the drugs also and the examiners are going to ask the names of each and every drugs according to the drugs classification. There are lots of Mnemonics are available to remember the drugs’ names. Try to find out the mnemonics of all the Pharmacology drugs. Even you can make mnemonics by yourself also. So you have to focus on Mnemonics for remembering the drugs’ names.
And uses some good study materials to read or revise the Pharmacology subject. The KAPLAN USMLE notes are awesome in one word. Go for it without any hesitation, Everything are there in very comprehensive manner and with great colourful diagrams with detail labelling.The diagrams are so easy to understand and you can easily make a picture on your brain. So your time will be saved and you will just fall in love with Pharmacology.
Again I’m repeating that this subject is so much interesting and you will just fall love with Pharmacology. Go in depth as much as possible.
What are the important topics :
(Only important for your Exam, study all topics if you want to enjoy Medicine)
General Pharmacology :
- Definition of ‘Essential Medicine’
- Orphan Drugs
- Routes of drug administration – Local & Sytemic routes
- Factors influencing drugs absorption
- Bioavailability
- Apparent volume of distribution
- First-Pass metabolism
- Apparent volume of distribution
- Redistribution
- Plasma Protein Binding
- Biotransformation
- Prodrug
- Pathways of drug metabolism – Phase 1 and Phase 2 reactions
- Factors affecting drug metabolism
- Pharmacogenetics
- Enzyme induction
- Clinical importance of microsomal enzyme induction
- Plasm Half-Life
- Clearance
- Loading dose and Maintenance dose
- Therapeutic drug monitoring
- Fixed dose combination
- Receptor Mediated mechanism – Agonist, Antagonist, Partial Agonist and Inverse AGonist
- G-Protein coupled receptors
- Nuclear Receptors
- Dose-Response Relationship
- Types of Dose-Response Curves
- Therapeutic Index
- Drug Potency
- Drug Efficacy
- Physiological Antagonism
- Placebo effect
- Tolerance
- Tachyphylaxis
- Pharmacovigilance
- Clinical Trials
ANS(Autonomic Nervous System) Drugs :
- Cholinergic Agonist
- Muscarinic Actions
- Acetylcholine, Pilocarpine and Physostigmine mechanism of action
- Nicotinic Actions
- Pilocarpine
- Neostigmine
- Pyridostigmine
- Anticholinesterases
- OP Poisoning – Treatment
- Atropine
- Depolarizing Blockers – Succinylcholine(Suxamethonium)
- Therapeutic uses of Adrenaline
- Dobutamine – Selective Beta-1 Agonist
- Ritodrine – Selective Beta-2 Agonist
- Nasal Decongestants
- Phenoxybenzamine
- Pheochromocytoma
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia
CVS(Cardiovascular System) Drugs :
- Classification of Antihypertensive drugs
- Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
- Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
- Thiazide Diuretics
- Selective alpha-1 blockers
- Nitrates mechanism of action
- Antiplatelet agents
- Cyanide poisoning treatment
- Beta Adrenergic Blockers(Very very important : (Don’t go for Viva without knowing)
- Amlodipine
- Sildenafil/Tadalafil
- Pharmacotherapy of Acute Myocardial Infarction
- Vasodilators
- ACE Inhibitors
- Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
- Digitalis mechanism of action
- Dopamine
- Sodium channel blockers
- calcium channel blockers
- Hypolipidemic drugs
Renal Pharmacology :
- Concept about Diuretics
- Loop Diuretics
- Intravenous furosemide
- Spironolactone
CNS(Central Nervous System) Drugs :
- Benzodiazepines – Pharmacological actions and therapeutic uses
- Benzodiazepine Antagonist
- Propofol
- Thiopentone Sodium
- Ketamine
- Preanaesthetic Medications
- Local Anaesthetics mechanism of action
- Combination of Vasoconstrictor with local anaesthetic
- Antiepileptic Dugs
- Phenytoin
- Carbamazepin
- Valproic Acid
- Status Epilepticus
- Morphine actions
- Opioid Antagonists – Naloxone, Naltrexone, and Nalmefene
- Levodopa
- Antidepressants drugs mechanism of action
- Lithium
Autacoids and Respiratory System :
- H1 Blockers
- First generation agents
- Cetrizine and Levocetrizine
- Ergot Preparations – Triptan
- Antiplatelet effects of NSAIDS
- Clinical uses of NSAIDS
- Acute paracetamol poisoning
- Colchicine
- Allopurinol and Feboxostat
- Methotrexate
- Bronchodilators
- Leukotriene Antagonists
- Mast cell stabilizers
- Treatment of Asthma
- Treatment of Acute Severe Asthma(Status Asthmaticus)
GI(Gastro Intestinal) Diseases Drugs :
- Antihistamines – H2 Blockers
- 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
- Prokinetic Drugs
- Metoclopramide
- Domperidone
- Uses of Antiemetic Drugs
- Mosapride
- Oral Rehydration Solution
- Stimulant Laxatives
- Bisacodyl
- Lactulose
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPSs)
- Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
- Prostaglandin Analogues
- Sucralfate
- Types of Antacids
Blood and Blood forming organs Drugs :
- Heparin
- The coagulation cascade
- Low molecular heparin
- Advantages of LMWHs(Low Molecular Heparins)
- Oral Anticoagulants
- Fibrinolytics(Thromobolytics)
- Aspirin(TXA2 Synthesis Inhibitor)
- Ticlopidine, Clopidogrel and Prasugrel
- Vitamin B12 or Cyanoclobamine
- Erythropoietin
Endocrine Pharmacology :
- Hypothalamic Regulatory hormones
- Synthesis of Thyroid Hormones
- Antithyroid Drugs
- Thioamides and mechanism of action
- Radioactive Iodine
- Thyrotoxic crisis or Thyroid Storm
- Danazol
- Anabolic Steroids/ Synthetic Androgens
- Clomiphene citrate
- Tamoxifen
- Raloxifene
- Antiprogestin
- Combined Oestrogen and Progestin preparations
- Mechanism of action of contraceptives
- Postcoital pill
- Corticosteroids
- Glucocorticoids
- Glucocorticoids effects – Anti Inflammatory effects, Immunosuppressant effect, Long term therapy and HPA axis suppression
- Insulin preparation
- Diabetic Ketoacidosistotic Diabetic Coma
- Biguanides
- DPP-4 Inhibitors – Sitagliptine, Saxagliptin and Vildagliptin
- Bisphosphonates
- Management of diabetic ketoacidosis
Drugs Acting on the Uterus :
- Oxytocin mechanism of action
- Induction of labour
- Postpartum haemorrhage
- Ergometrine and Methylergometrine
- Uterine Relaxants
- Magnesium Sulphate
Chemotherapy :
- Superinfection
- Sulphonamides
- Cotrimoxazole
- Quinolones and Fluroquinolones
- Beta Lactam Antibiotics
- Penicillin
- Meropenem and Doripenem
- Tetracyclines
- Advantages of Doxycycline
- Drawbacks of Erythromycin
- Azithromycin
- Antitubercular Drugs
- Anti Leprosy Drugs
- Lepra Reaction
- Ketoconazole
- Itraconazole
- Fluconazole
- Antiviral Drugs
- Zidovudine
- Antemalarial Drugs
- Artemisinin and Its Derivatives
- Metronidazole
- Antihelmintics
- Alkylating Agents
Others :
- Chelating Agents
How to perform well in viva table :
You must have solid interaction skills and respect for your examiner in order to make your Viva table successful.
One thing to remember is to be honest and not to try to appear overly intelligent during your Viva in front of your examiner.
You must either construct your own notebook or acquire notes from the market. Then start working hard on your preparation and reading your notes on a regular basis.
You should be able to answer all of the questions after 4-5 revisions.
Make sure you’re practising with a roommate or a study buddy. Discussing each topic in a conversational manner will boost your confidence and allow you to respond more confidently.
How to score well in the University exam :
Solve the articles from the preceding ten years at your university; you’ll obtain 70-80 percent of the questions there, with the rest coming from the entire journal.
If your university employs a semester system, try to complete all of the semester papers from all of the colleges for that year. The majority of the questions will come from them, which will account for 20-30% of the total.
What is the most efficient technique to complete the exam paper right now?
—> Try to include images/flowcharts in each answer because each query has its own set of marks.
As a result, the examiner will be able to detect the scent of what you’ve written or your knowledge of the subject. If the flowchart has clarified everything, it’s your turn; don’t forget to underline important points in your response. Instead of cramming everything into one paragraph, try to write short responses in the written section.
If you accomplish all of these goals, the impressed interviewer will gladly give you a 75-80% rating.
As a result, each question should contain a basic diagram/flowchart, highlighted key points, and succinct answers.