PHARMACOLOGY MASTERY
Top 100 Most Tested Drugs For Nursing & Medical Exams
NCLEX-RN | LPN | BSc Nursing | GNM | Pharmacy | MBBS | ATI & HESI Pharmacology
2026 Updated Edition - A+ Rated
Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Not medical advice. Refer to BNF / FDA labeling and institutional protocols. Always consult a healthcare professional
for clinical decisions.
SECTION 1: PHARMACOLOGY PRINCIPLES - HIGH YIELD
Pharmacokinetics (ADME): Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism (Liver - CYP450), Excretion (Kidney). Half-life: 5 half-lives to
steady state & elimination. Pharmacodynamics: Agonist activates, Antagonist blocks. Therapeutic Index (TI) = LD50/ED50.
Narrow TI drugs require TDM: Digoxin, Lithium, Phenytoin, Warfarin, Gentamicin, Vancomycin, Theophylline.
CYP450: Inhibitors = ↑ drug levels (Grapefruit, Azole antifungals, Macrolides). Inducers = ↓ levels (Rifampin, Carbamazepine,
St. John's Wort).
SECTION 2: TOP 100 DRUGS - COMPLETE TABLE
Prototype-based. Master prototype = master entire class. Red = Critical exam trap.
# Drug (Generic) Class Mechanism Side Effects - MUST Nursing Considerations + Teaching
KNOW
1 Lisinopril ACE Inhibitor (-pril) ↓ ACE → ↓Ang II, Dry cough, HyperK+, Check BP, K+, Creat. Hold if SBP<90. No
vasodilation Angioedema, K+ supplements. Pregnancy
Hypotension contraindicated.
2 Losartan ARB (-sartan) Blocks Ang II receptor HyperK+, Dizziness No cough. Monitor K+, renal. Alternate to
ACE.
3 Metoprolol Beta1 Blocker ↓ HR, BP, contractility Bradycardia, Fatigue, HR<60 hold. Never stop abruptly. Monitor
(-olol) Masks hypoglycemia, glucose in diabetics.
Bronchospasm
4 Amlodipine CCB Blocks Ca2+ influx → Peripheral edema, Monitor edema, BP. Good oral hygiene.
Dihydropyridine vasodilation Flushing, Gum
hyperplasia
5 Verapamil CCB Non-DHP ↓ HR + vasodilation Bradycardia, Avoid with Beta-blockers. Monitor HR,
Constipation, HF ECG.
worsening
6 Furosemide Loop Diuretic Blocks Na/K/2Cl loop HypoK+, Dehydration, Give AM, monitor K+, I&O;, weight, BP.
Henle Ototoxicity, HypoNa+ Give IV slowly.
7 Hydrochlorothi Thiazide Diuretic Blocks Na/Cl early distal HypoK+, Monitor K+, glucose, uric acid. Take AM.
azide tubule Hyperglycemia,
Hyperuricemia
8 Spironolacton K+ Sparing Aldosterone antagonist HyperK+, Monitor K+ - NO K+ supplements. Avoid
e Diuretic Gynecomastia in renal failure.
9 Digoxin Cardiac Glycoside Inhibits Na/K ATPase → N/V, Yellow halos, Apical pulse 1 min <60 hold. Level 0.8-2
↑Ca → ↑contractility Bradycardia - ng/mL. K+ >3.5 protects from toxicity.
NARROW TI Antidote: Digoxin Fab.
10 Amiodarone Class III Blocks K+ channels Pulmonary fibrosis, Monitor PFTs, LFTs, TFTs, CXR, ECG
Antiarrhythmic Thyroid, Corneal, (QT). Long half-life 40-55d.
Photosensitivity, Blue
skin
11 Atorvastatin Statin HMG-CoA reductase Myalgia, Evening dose. Check LFTs, CK if muscle
inhibitor Hepatotoxicity, pain. Report dark urine.
Rhabdomyolysis
12 Clopidogrel Antiplatelet Blocks P2Y12 ADP Bleeding No PPI omeprazole (interaction). Monitor
receptor bleeding.
13 Warfarin Vit K Antagonist ↓ Vit K clotting factors Bleeding, Teratogenic INR 2-3 (mechanical valve 2.5-3.5).
II,VII,IX,X Antidote Vit K / 4F-PCC. Consistent Vit K
diet. Many interactions.
, # Drug (Generic) Class Mechanism Side Effects - MUST Nursing Considerations + Teaching
KNOW
14 Heparin Anticoagulant Activates antithrombin III Bleeding, HIT aPTT 60-80s. Antidote Protamine. No IM.
Monitor platelets.
15 Enoxaparin LMWH Activates antithrombin Bleeding, HIT lower risk No monitoring needed. Antidote
Protamine partial. Renal dose adjust.
16 Apixaban DOAC - Xa Direct Factor Xa inhibitor Bleeding No INR monitoring. Antidote Andexanet.
inhibitor Hold before surgery.
17 Albuterol SABA Beta2 Bronchodilation Tremor, Tachycardia, Shake, exhale fully, inhale slow, hold 10s.
Agonist HypoK+ Wait 1 min between puffs.
18 Salmeterol LABA Long bronchodilation Tachycardia, Tremor Never alone in asthma - must with ICS.
Not for acute attack.
19 Fluticasone Inhaled Airway anti-inflammatory Oral thrush, Rinse mouth after. Not rescue.
Corticosteroid Hoarseness
20 Montelukast Leukotriene Blocks leukotrienes Mood changes, Take evening. Monitor mood/behavior.
Antagonist Headache
21 Amoxicillin Penicillin Inhibits cell wall Allergy, Diarrhea, Rash Ask allergy. Complete course. Take
synthesis with/without food.
22 Amox-Clav Penicillin + Same + beta-lactamase Diarrhea, Give with food to ↓ GI upset.
inhibitor coverage Hepatotoxicity
23 Ceftriaxone 3rd Gen Cell wall inhibition Allergy, Biliary sludge No calcium-containing fluids in neonates.
Cephalosporin Check penicillin cross-allergy.
24 Azithromycin Macrolide 50S protein synthesis QT prolong, GI upset Avoid with QT drugs. 3-5 day course.
inhibitor
25 Doxycycline Tetracycline 30S inhibitor Photosensitivity, No milk/antacids/iron within 2h. Sun
Esophagitis, Teeth protection. Upright 30 min after.
discoloration <8y
Top 100 Most Tested Drugs For Nursing & Medical Exams
NCLEX-RN | LPN | BSc Nursing | GNM | Pharmacy | MBBS | ATI & HESI Pharmacology
2026 Updated Edition - A+ Rated
Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Not medical advice. Refer to BNF / FDA labeling and institutional protocols. Always consult a healthcare professional
for clinical decisions.
SECTION 1: PHARMACOLOGY PRINCIPLES - HIGH YIELD
Pharmacokinetics (ADME): Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism (Liver - CYP450), Excretion (Kidney). Half-life: 5 half-lives to
steady state & elimination. Pharmacodynamics: Agonist activates, Antagonist blocks. Therapeutic Index (TI) = LD50/ED50.
Narrow TI drugs require TDM: Digoxin, Lithium, Phenytoin, Warfarin, Gentamicin, Vancomycin, Theophylline.
CYP450: Inhibitors = ↑ drug levels (Grapefruit, Azole antifungals, Macrolides). Inducers = ↓ levels (Rifampin, Carbamazepine,
St. John's Wort).
SECTION 2: TOP 100 DRUGS - COMPLETE TABLE
Prototype-based. Master prototype = master entire class. Red = Critical exam trap.
# Drug (Generic) Class Mechanism Side Effects - MUST Nursing Considerations + Teaching
KNOW
1 Lisinopril ACE Inhibitor (-pril) ↓ ACE → ↓Ang II, Dry cough, HyperK+, Check BP, K+, Creat. Hold if SBP<90. No
vasodilation Angioedema, K+ supplements. Pregnancy
Hypotension contraindicated.
2 Losartan ARB (-sartan) Blocks Ang II receptor HyperK+, Dizziness No cough. Monitor K+, renal. Alternate to
ACE.
3 Metoprolol Beta1 Blocker ↓ HR, BP, contractility Bradycardia, Fatigue, HR<60 hold. Never stop abruptly. Monitor
(-olol) Masks hypoglycemia, glucose in diabetics.
Bronchospasm
4 Amlodipine CCB Blocks Ca2+ influx → Peripheral edema, Monitor edema, BP. Good oral hygiene.
Dihydropyridine vasodilation Flushing, Gum
hyperplasia
5 Verapamil CCB Non-DHP ↓ HR + vasodilation Bradycardia, Avoid with Beta-blockers. Monitor HR,
Constipation, HF ECG.
worsening
6 Furosemide Loop Diuretic Blocks Na/K/2Cl loop HypoK+, Dehydration, Give AM, monitor K+, I&O;, weight, BP.
Henle Ototoxicity, HypoNa+ Give IV slowly.
7 Hydrochlorothi Thiazide Diuretic Blocks Na/Cl early distal HypoK+, Monitor K+, glucose, uric acid. Take AM.
azide tubule Hyperglycemia,
Hyperuricemia
8 Spironolacton K+ Sparing Aldosterone antagonist HyperK+, Monitor K+ - NO K+ supplements. Avoid
e Diuretic Gynecomastia in renal failure.
9 Digoxin Cardiac Glycoside Inhibits Na/K ATPase → N/V, Yellow halos, Apical pulse 1 min <60 hold. Level 0.8-2
↑Ca → ↑contractility Bradycardia - ng/mL. K+ >3.5 protects from toxicity.
NARROW TI Antidote: Digoxin Fab.
10 Amiodarone Class III Blocks K+ channels Pulmonary fibrosis, Monitor PFTs, LFTs, TFTs, CXR, ECG
Antiarrhythmic Thyroid, Corneal, (QT). Long half-life 40-55d.
Photosensitivity, Blue
skin
11 Atorvastatin Statin HMG-CoA reductase Myalgia, Evening dose. Check LFTs, CK if muscle
inhibitor Hepatotoxicity, pain. Report dark urine.
Rhabdomyolysis
12 Clopidogrel Antiplatelet Blocks P2Y12 ADP Bleeding No PPI omeprazole (interaction). Monitor
receptor bleeding.
13 Warfarin Vit K Antagonist ↓ Vit K clotting factors Bleeding, Teratogenic INR 2-3 (mechanical valve 2.5-3.5).
II,VII,IX,X Antidote Vit K / 4F-PCC. Consistent Vit K
diet. Many interactions.
, # Drug (Generic) Class Mechanism Side Effects - MUST Nursing Considerations + Teaching
KNOW
14 Heparin Anticoagulant Activates antithrombin III Bleeding, HIT aPTT 60-80s. Antidote Protamine. No IM.
Monitor platelets.
15 Enoxaparin LMWH Activates antithrombin Bleeding, HIT lower risk No monitoring needed. Antidote
Protamine partial. Renal dose adjust.
16 Apixaban DOAC - Xa Direct Factor Xa inhibitor Bleeding No INR monitoring. Antidote Andexanet.
inhibitor Hold before surgery.
17 Albuterol SABA Beta2 Bronchodilation Tremor, Tachycardia, Shake, exhale fully, inhale slow, hold 10s.
Agonist HypoK+ Wait 1 min between puffs.
18 Salmeterol LABA Long bronchodilation Tachycardia, Tremor Never alone in asthma - must with ICS.
Not for acute attack.
19 Fluticasone Inhaled Airway anti-inflammatory Oral thrush, Rinse mouth after. Not rescue.
Corticosteroid Hoarseness
20 Montelukast Leukotriene Blocks leukotrienes Mood changes, Take evening. Monitor mood/behavior.
Antagonist Headache
21 Amoxicillin Penicillin Inhibits cell wall Allergy, Diarrhea, Rash Ask allergy. Complete course. Take
synthesis with/without food.
22 Amox-Clav Penicillin + Same + beta-lactamase Diarrhea, Give with food to ↓ GI upset.
inhibitor coverage Hepatotoxicity
23 Ceftriaxone 3rd Gen Cell wall inhibition Allergy, Biliary sludge No calcium-containing fluids in neonates.
Cephalosporin Check penicillin cross-allergy.
24 Azithromycin Macrolide 50S protein synthesis QT prolong, GI upset Avoid with QT drugs. 3-5 day course.
inhibitor
25 Doxycycline Tetracycline 30S inhibitor Photosensitivity, No milk/antacids/iron within 2h. Sun
Esophagitis, Teeth protection. Upright 30 min after.
discoloration <8y
