As a nursing instructor, I recommend to every single student pharmacology is one of the hardest subjects and most students fail because they try to memorize without structure.

Cardiovascular Drugs Chlorthalidone Rx or OTC: Rx Dosage: 12.5-50 mg daily Route: Oral Pregnancy Category: B DEA Schedule: Not controlled Pronunciation: klor-THAL-i-doan Nifedipine Drug Classifications: Thiazide-like diuretic Common Prefixes/Suffixes: -thiazide (thiazide-like diuretics) Mechanism of Action: Inhibits sodium reabsorption, edema promoting diuresis. Indications: Hypertension, edema Contraindications: Anuria, sulfa allergy Side Effects: Hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, hypergycemia Drug Interactions: Lithium, digoxin, NSAIDs Nursing Implications: Monitor electrolytes, BP, and glucose levels. Sitagliptin Endocrine Drugs Hydrocortisone Endocrine Drugs Rx or OTC: Rx Dosage: Varies (e.g. 10 mg, 20 mg, 100 mg) Route: Oral, Topical, IV Pregnancy Category: C DEA Schedule: Not controlled Musculoskeletal Drugs Zolpidem Drug Classifications: Antigout agent Common Prefixes/Suffixes: -purinol (antigout agents) Mechanism of Action: Inhibits xanthine oxidase, reducing uric acid production. Indications: Gout, hyperuricemia Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to allopurinol, Syndrome Side Effects: Rash, hypertoxicity, Stevens-Johnson Drug Interactions: Azathioprine, warfarin Nursing Implications: Monitor for rash and liver function; increase fluid intake. Immunologic Drugs Drug Classifications: T-cell Co-stimulation Modulator Common Prefixes/Suffixes: -cept (fusion proteins) Mechanism of Action: Inhibits T-cell activation by binding to CD80/CD86 on antigen-presenting cells. Indications: Rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to abatac er Side Effects: Infections, headache, TNF inhibitors Drug Interactions: Live vaccines, monitor for signs of infection. Nursing Implications: Avoid live vaccines during therapy. Pain and Inflammation Drugs Indomethacin Drug Classifications: Muscle Relaxant Common Prefixes/Suffixes: None Mechanism of Action: Reduces muscle spasms by acting on the brainstem. Indications: Muscle spasms, acute musculoskeletal pain Contraindications: Drowsiness, dry mouth, hyperthyroidism Side Effects: MAOI use, hyperthyroidism, dizziness Drug Interactions: CNS depressants, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors Nursing Implications: Monitor for sedation, educate about alcohol and CNS depressants. Hematologic Drugs Defibrotide Drug Classifications: Monoclonal Antibody Common Prefixes/Suffixes: -mab (monoclonal antibodies) Mechanism of Action: Reverses the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran by binding to it. Indications: Reversal of dabigatran in emergency situations Contraindications: None known Side Effects: Hypersensitivity, thromboembolic events Drug Interactions: None significant Nursing Implications: Administer in a controlled set- ting; monitor for bleeding and thrombosis. Psychiatric Drugs Drug Classifications: Mood Stabilizer Common Prefixes/Suffixes: None Mechanism of Action: Modulates neurotransmitter activity, stabilizes mood. Indications: Bipolar Disorder Contraindications: Severe renal or cardiac disease Side Effects: Tremor, polyuria, hypothyroidism Drug Interactions: MAO inhibitors, diuretics, NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors Nursing Implications: Monitor serum lithium levels, ed- ucate on hydration. Renal/Urologic Drugs Sevelamer Drug Classifications: Anticholinergic Common Prefixes/Suffixes: -fenacin (anticholinergics) Mechanism of Action: Blocks muscarinic receptors, reducing bladder overactivity. Indications: Overactive bladder (OAB) Contraindications: Urinary retention, constipation, gastric retention, uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma Side Effects: Dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision Drug Interactions: Other anticholinergics, CYP3A4 inhibitors Nursing Implications: Monitor for anticholinergic effects, avoid opioid use. Dermatologic Drugs Drug Classifications: Retinoid Common Prefixes/Suffixes: -lene (retinoids) Mechanism of Action: Normalizes keratinization. Indications: Acne Contraindications: Dryness, redness, irritation Side Effects: Hypersensitivity, irritation Drug Interactions: None significant Nursing Implications: Avoid sunlight exposure; use sunscreen. Gastrointestinal Drugs Bisacodyl Rx or OTC: OTC Dosage: 5 mg (tablets or suppositories) Route: Oral, rectal Pregnancy Category: C DEA Schedule: Not controlled Pronunciation: bis-AK-oh-dih Drug Classifications: Stimulant laxative Common Prefixes/Suffixes: -dyl (stimulant laxatives) Mechanism of Action: Stimulates bowel movements by increasing peristalsis and water secretion. Indications: Constipation, bowel preparation for procedures Contraindications: Intestinal obstruction, diarrhea, electrolyte imbalances Side Effects: Abdominal cramping, diarrhea, reduced efficacy Drug Interactions: Antacids (reduce absorption), warfar in Nursing Implications: Administer on an empty stomach; avoid long-term use. Respiratory Drugs Mometasone Drug Classifications: Long-acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA) Common Prefixes/Suffixes: -terol (beta-2 agonists) Mechanism of Action: Stimulates beta-2 adrenergic receptors, causing prolonged bronchodilation. Indications: Asthma, COPD Contraindications: Acute asthma attack, tremors, nervousness Side Effects: Tachycardia, headache, TNF inhibitors Drug Interactions: Beta-blockers, other sympathomimetics Nursing Implications: Not for acute bronchospasm; with ICS for asthma. Neurological Drugs Drug Classifications: Adrenergic agonist, Vasopressor Common Prefixes/Suffixes: -amine (biogenic amines) Mechanism of Action: Stimulates dopamine receptors, increases heart rate and blood pressure. Indications: Shock, heart failure, hypotension Contraindications: Tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmias filbrillation Side Effects: MAO inhibitors, beta-blockers, heart Drug Interactions: Monitor blood pressure, heart rate, and ECG; titrate dose carefully. Infectious Disease Drugs Azithromycin Rx or OTC: Rx Dosage: 500 mg once daily for 3 days Route: Oral, IV Pregnancy Category: B DEA Schedule: Not controlled Pronunciation: ay-ZITH-roh-my-sin Drug Classifications: Macrolide antibiotic Common Prefixes/Suffixes: -thromycin (macrolide class) Mechanism of Action: Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunits. Indications: Respiratory infections, skin infections, sexually transmitted infections (e.g., chlamydia). Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to macrolides, QT prolongation. Side Effects: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, reduced absorption, cholestatic jaundice. Drug Interactions: Antacids (reduce absorption), warfar in (increases bleeding risk) Nursing Implications: Monitor for care of patients with prolongation. Emergency Drugs Naloxone Rx or OTC: Rx/OTC (nasal spray) Dosage: 0.4-2 mg (IV/IM, SubQ, Nasal) Route: IV, IM, SubQ, Nasal Pregnancy Category: B DEA Schedule: Not controlled Pronunciation: nal-OX-oh-n Drug Classifications: Opioid Antagonist Common Prefixes/Suffixes: -oxone (opioid antagonists) Mechanism of Action: Competitively binds to opioid receptors, reversing opioid effects. Indications: Opioid overdose, respiratory depression Contraindications: None in emergencies Side Effects: Withdrawal symptoms, tachycardia, nausea, hypertension Drug Interactions: Opioids Nursing Implications: Monitor respiratory rate, prepare for withdrawal symptoms. Oncology Drugs Cyclophosphamide Drug Classifications: Antineoplastic, Antimetabolite Common Prefixes/Suffixes: -racil (antimetabolites) Mechanism of Action: Inhibits thymidylate synthase, disrupting DNA and RNA synthesis. Indications: Breast cancer, skin cancer, Colorectal cancer, B-cell lymphoma. Contraindications: Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency, myelosuppression, mucositis, diarrhea. Side Effects: Leucovorin (enhances toxicity), other hand-foot syndrome. Drug Interactions: Monitor for mucositis and diarrhea, Educate on hand-foot syndrome.