DRUG MECHANISMS OF ACTION — KELLY’S WAY
CARDIAC
ACE Inhibitors (-pril): “ACE turns off the pressure hose.” Lowers BP, causes cough.
ARBs (-sartan): “Sartan sits on the receptor: no squeeze today.” No cough.
Beta Blockers (-lol): “LOL slows life down.” Low HR/BP.
Calcium Channel Blockers: “Block calcium crunch = relax.” Low HR/BP.
Nitroglycerin: “Opens all the highways = BP drops fast.”
DIURETICS
Furosemide: “Loop = lose everything.” Pee + low K+.
HCTZ: “Diet diuretic.” Mild pee, low K+.
Spironolactone: “Saves potassium like treasure.”
RESPIRATORY
Albuterol: “Albu-zoom opens the airways.” Jittery.
Ipratropium: “Keeps the airway door propped open.”
Steroids (Prednisone): “Pred spreads sugar, stops swelling.”
ENDOCRINE
Regular Insulin: “Regular people go IV.” Fast.
NPH: “Not Particularly Helpful peak (4–12 hr).”
Glargine: “Glides all day—no peak.”
Metformin: “Metal + contrast = NO.” Drops liver sugar.
Levothyroxine: “Levo lifts metabolism—AM, empty stomach.”
NEURO/PSYCH
Benzos (Lorazepam): “Pam chills everyone out.” Slows breathing.
SSRIs (Sertraline): “Raises serotonin—watch for storms.”
Lithium: “Lith = rock. Kidneys carry rocks.” Toxic easily.
Antipsychotics (Haldol): “Locks dopamine = stiff movements.”
PAIN
Morphine: “Morph → more sleep.” Hold RR < 12.
Ketorolac: “Toradol tortures kidneys.”
ANTIBIOTICS
Vancomycin: “Van-go slow or the man turns red.” RMS.
Gentamicin: “Gentle on nothing (ears/kidneys).”
Ceftriaxone: “Ceph? Check penicillin allergy.”
CARDIAC
ACE Inhibitors (-pril): “ACE turns off the pressure hose.” Lowers BP, causes cough.
ARBs (-sartan): “Sartan sits on the receptor: no squeeze today.” No cough.
Beta Blockers (-lol): “LOL slows life down.” Low HR/BP.
Calcium Channel Blockers: “Block calcium crunch = relax.” Low HR/BP.
Nitroglycerin: “Opens all the highways = BP drops fast.”
DIURETICS
Furosemide: “Loop = lose everything.” Pee + low K+.
HCTZ: “Diet diuretic.” Mild pee, low K+.
Spironolactone: “Saves potassium like treasure.”
RESPIRATORY
Albuterol: “Albu-zoom opens the airways.” Jittery.
Ipratropium: “Keeps the airway door propped open.”
Steroids (Prednisone): “Pred spreads sugar, stops swelling.”
ENDOCRINE
Regular Insulin: “Regular people go IV.” Fast.
NPH: “Not Particularly Helpful peak (4–12 hr).”
Glargine: “Glides all day—no peak.”
Metformin: “Metal + contrast = NO.” Drops liver sugar.
Levothyroxine: “Levo lifts metabolism—AM, empty stomach.”
NEURO/PSYCH
Benzos (Lorazepam): “Pam chills everyone out.” Slows breathing.
SSRIs (Sertraline): “Raises serotonin—watch for storms.”
Lithium: “Lith = rock. Kidneys carry rocks.” Toxic easily.
Antipsychotics (Haldol): “Locks dopamine = stiff movements.”
PAIN
Morphine: “Morph → more sleep.” Hold RR < 12.
Ketorolac: “Toradol tortures kidneys.”
ANTIBIOTICS
Vancomycin: “Van-go slow or the man turns red.” RMS.
Gentamicin: “Gentle on nothing (ears/kidneys).”
Ceftriaxone: “Ceph? Check penicillin allergy.”
