Complete Nursing Notes | Exam-Ready Summary | A+ Rated | BSc & Diploma Nursing |
University/College | 2026/2027
1. INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOLOGY
Definition of Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the study of drugs, including their sources, properties, actions, effects,
therapeutic uses, adverse effects, and interactions.
Key Terms
• Drug: A substance used to prevent, diagnose, treat, or manage disease.
• Indication: The condition for which a drug is used.
• Contraindication: A situation in which a drug should not be used.
• Side effect: A predictable secondary effect that may occur at therapeutic doses.
• Adverse drug reaction (ADR): A harmful or unintended response to a drug.
• Toxicity: Harmful effects resulting from excessive drug exposure.
• Antidote: A substance used to counteract or reverse the effects of a poison or drug
toxicity.
2. MAJOR DRUG CLASSES
Drug Class Common Examples Main Action Important Side Effects
Relieve moderate–severe Respiratory depression,
Opioids Morphine, fentanyl
pain sedation, constipation
Reduce GI irritation, bleeding,
NSAIDs Ibuprofen, diclofenac
pain/inflammation kidney injury
Anticoagulants Heparin, warfarin Reduce clot formation Bleeding
Reduce platelet
Antiplatelets Aspirin, clopidogrel Bleeding
aggregation
Thrombolytics Alteplase Dissolve clots Serious bleeding
,Drug Class Common Examples Main Action Important Side Effects
Bradycardia,
Beta blockers Atenolol, propranolol Reduce heart rate/BP
hypotension
Cough, hyperkalemia,
ACE inhibitors Enalapril, lisinopril Lower BP
angioedema
Hyperkalemia,
ARBs Losartan Lower BP
hypotension
Calcium-channel Reduce vascular Edema, hypotension,
Amlodipine, verapamil
blockers resistance/heart activity bradycardia
Furosemide,
Diuretics Increase urine output Electrolyte disturbances
hydrochlorothiazide
Muscle symptoms, liver
Statins Atorvastatin Lower cholesterol
enzyme elevation
Regular insulin,
Insulins Lower blood glucose Hypoglycemia
glargine
Sulfonylureas Glibenclamide Increase insulin release Hypoglycemia
Reduce hepatic glucose
Biguanides Metformin GI effects
production
Prednisolone, Hyperglycemia,
Corticosteroids Reduce inflammation
dexamethasone infection risk
Amoxicillin,
Antibiotics Treat bacterial infections Allergy, GI effects
ceftriaxone
Antitubercular Hepatotoxicity and other
Isoniazid, rifampicin Treat TB
drugs class-specific effects
Sedation, respiratory
Benzodiazepines Diazepam, lorazepam Reduce CNS activity
depression
Haloperidol, Manage psychotic Movement disorders,
Antipsychotics
risperidone symptoms metabolic effects
, Drug Class Common Examples Main Action Important Side Effects
Fluoxetine, Treat depressive
Antidepressants GI effects, CNS effects
amitriptyline disorders
CNS effects and drug-
Antiepileptics Phenytoin, valproate Prevent seizures
specific toxicities
3. HIGH-YIELD DRUG CLASSES
A. OPIOIDS
Examples
• Morphine
• Fentanyl
• Oxycodone
• Codeine
Uses
• Moderate to severe pain
• Selected palliative-care situations
• Some cough preparations
Major Side Effects
• Respiratory depression
• Sedation
• Constipation
• Nausea/vomiting
• Hypotension
• Urinary retention
Important Antidote
Naloxone
Used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory/CNS depression.
University/College | 2026/2027
1. INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOLOGY
Definition of Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the study of drugs, including their sources, properties, actions, effects,
therapeutic uses, adverse effects, and interactions.
Key Terms
• Drug: A substance used to prevent, diagnose, treat, or manage disease.
• Indication: The condition for which a drug is used.
• Contraindication: A situation in which a drug should not be used.
• Side effect: A predictable secondary effect that may occur at therapeutic doses.
• Adverse drug reaction (ADR): A harmful or unintended response to a drug.
• Toxicity: Harmful effects resulting from excessive drug exposure.
• Antidote: A substance used to counteract or reverse the effects of a poison or drug
toxicity.
2. MAJOR DRUG CLASSES
Drug Class Common Examples Main Action Important Side Effects
Relieve moderate–severe Respiratory depression,
Opioids Morphine, fentanyl
pain sedation, constipation
Reduce GI irritation, bleeding,
NSAIDs Ibuprofen, diclofenac
pain/inflammation kidney injury
Anticoagulants Heparin, warfarin Reduce clot formation Bleeding
Reduce platelet
Antiplatelets Aspirin, clopidogrel Bleeding
aggregation
Thrombolytics Alteplase Dissolve clots Serious bleeding
,Drug Class Common Examples Main Action Important Side Effects
Bradycardia,
Beta blockers Atenolol, propranolol Reduce heart rate/BP
hypotension
Cough, hyperkalemia,
ACE inhibitors Enalapril, lisinopril Lower BP
angioedema
Hyperkalemia,
ARBs Losartan Lower BP
hypotension
Calcium-channel Reduce vascular Edema, hypotension,
Amlodipine, verapamil
blockers resistance/heart activity bradycardia
Furosemide,
Diuretics Increase urine output Electrolyte disturbances
hydrochlorothiazide
Muscle symptoms, liver
Statins Atorvastatin Lower cholesterol
enzyme elevation
Regular insulin,
Insulins Lower blood glucose Hypoglycemia
glargine
Sulfonylureas Glibenclamide Increase insulin release Hypoglycemia
Reduce hepatic glucose
Biguanides Metformin GI effects
production
Prednisolone, Hyperglycemia,
Corticosteroids Reduce inflammation
dexamethasone infection risk
Amoxicillin,
Antibiotics Treat bacterial infections Allergy, GI effects
ceftriaxone
Antitubercular Hepatotoxicity and other
Isoniazid, rifampicin Treat TB
drugs class-specific effects
Sedation, respiratory
Benzodiazepines Diazepam, lorazepam Reduce CNS activity
depression
Haloperidol, Manage psychotic Movement disorders,
Antipsychotics
risperidone symptoms metabolic effects
, Drug Class Common Examples Main Action Important Side Effects
Fluoxetine, Treat depressive
Antidepressants GI effects, CNS effects
amitriptyline disorders
CNS effects and drug-
Antiepileptics Phenytoin, valproate Prevent seizures
specific toxicities
3. HIGH-YIELD DRUG CLASSES
A. OPIOIDS
Examples
• Morphine
• Fentanyl
• Oxycodone
• Codeine
Uses
• Moderate to severe pain
• Selected palliative-care situations
• Some cough preparations
Major Side Effects
• Respiratory depression
• Sedation
• Constipation
• Nausea/vomiting
• Hypotension
• Urinary retention
Important Antidote
Naloxone
Used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory/CNS depression.
