PHARMACOLOGY CHEAT SHEET:
MUST-KNOW DRUG CLASSES &
SUFFIXES (NCLEX Review Guide)
1. CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS (Heart & Blood Pressure)
A) Beta Blockers
Memory Trick: Ends in -lol (Think: "Lowers" heart rate)
Common Meds: Metoprolol, Atenolol, Propranolol
Action: Lowers Heart Rate & Blood Pressure.
CRITICAL SIDE EFFECTS: Bradycardia (Slow heart rate), Fatigue,
Bronchospasm.
Nursing Tip: Do NOT give to Asthmatics! Always check pulse before giving.
B) ACE Inhibitors
Memory Trick: Ends in -pril (Think: "April" showers bring coughs)
Common Meds: Lisinopril, Enalapril, Captopril
Action: Lowers Blood Pressure. First line for Heart Failure.
CRITICAL SIDE EFFECTS: Dry Cough (Most common reason to stop),
Angioedema (Swelling of face/lips), Hyperkalemia (High Potassium).
Nursing Tip: If the patient develops a dry cough, the doctor will likely switch them to
an ARB.
C) Calcium Channel Blockers
Memory Trick: Ends in -dipine
Common Meds: Amlodipine, Nifedipine
Action: Relaxes blood vessels to lower BP.
CRITICAL SIDE EFFECTS: Peripheral Edema (Swelling legs), Gingival
Hyperplasia (Gum overgrowth).
Nursing Tip: NO Grapefruit juice! It can cause toxicity.
D) Loop Diuretics
Memory Trick: Ends in -ide
Common Meds: Furosemide (Lasix), Torsemide
Action: "Water Pills" - removes excess fluid from the body.
CRITICAL SIDE EFFECTS: Hypokalemia (Low Potassium), Dehydration,
Ototoxicity (Ear damage).
Nursing Tip: Always check Potassium levels. Encourage bananas/potatoes.
2. ANTIBIOTICS (Infection Fighters)
MUST-KNOW DRUG CLASSES &
SUFFIXES (NCLEX Review Guide)
1. CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS (Heart & Blood Pressure)
A) Beta Blockers
Memory Trick: Ends in -lol (Think: "Lowers" heart rate)
Common Meds: Metoprolol, Atenolol, Propranolol
Action: Lowers Heart Rate & Blood Pressure.
CRITICAL SIDE EFFECTS: Bradycardia (Slow heart rate), Fatigue,
Bronchospasm.
Nursing Tip: Do NOT give to Asthmatics! Always check pulse before giving.
B) ACE Inhibitors
Memory Trick: Ends in -pril (Think: "April" showers bring coughs)
Common Meds: Lisinopril, Enalapril, Captopril
Action: Lowers Blood Pressure. First line for Heart Failure.
CRITICAL SIDE EFFECTS: Dry Cough (Most common reason to stop),
Angioedema (Swelling of face/lips), Hyperkalemia (High Potassium).
Nursing Tip: If the patient develops a dry cough, the doctor will likely switch them to
an ARB.
C) Calcium Channel Blockers
Memory Trick: Ends in -dipine
Common Meds: Amlodipine, Nifedipine
Action: Relaxes blood vessels to lower BP.
CRITICAL SIDE EFFECTS: Peripheral Edema (Swelling legs), Gingival
Hyperplasia (Gum overgrowth).
Nursing Tip: NO Grapefruit juice! It can cause toxicity.
D) Loop Diuretics
Memory Trick: Ends in -ide
Common Meds: Furosemide (Lasix), Torsemide
Action: "Water Pills" - removes excess fluid from the body.
CRITICAL SIDE EFFECTS: Hypokalemia (Low Potassium), Dehydration,
Ototoxicity (Ear damage).
Nursing Tip: Always check Potassium levels. Encourage bananas/potatoes.
2. ANTIBIOTICS (Infection Fighters)
