Pharmacology · drug classes
Drugs by class.
Mechanism, indications, side effects, contraindications. Organized to match how Step 2 tests it — by class, with the gotchas (HIT, serotonin syndrome, glucagon for β-blocker overdose) front and center.
Cardiology & Heme
7 topicsAnticoagulants — warfarin, heparin, LMWH, DOACs
Mechanism, monitoring, reversal, and when to pick which agent.
β-blockers — selectivity, ISA, ABCs of side effects
Cardioselective vs non-selective, with the indications and contraindications that matter.
ACE inhibitors & ARBs
First-line in HFrEF, post-MI, CKD with proteinuria, HTN with DM. Know the kidney and the cough.
Diuretics — loop, thiazide, K-sparing
Where they act in the nephron, what they do to electrolytes, what they cause.
Statins & lipid drugs
Pick the right intensity, know the myopathy, when to add ezetimibe or PCSK9.
Antiarrhythmics — Vaughan-Williams classes
Class I (Na channel), II (β-block), III (K channel), IV (Ca channel), plus adenosine, digoxin, ivabradine — when to pick what.
Heart failure — GDMT quadruple therapy
The four pillars for HFrEF, when to add SGLT2i and ARNI, when to use ivabradine/hydralazine-ISDN, what to AVOID.
Autonomic & Pain
3 topicsAutonomic drugs — cholinergic, anticholinergic, sympathomimetic
Every ANS drug you need: muscarinic agonists, cholinesterase inhibitors, anticholinergics, sympathomimetics by receptor, α-blockers — plus the killer toxidromes.
Opioids & opioid use disorder
Equianalgesic dosing, naloxone, OUD treatment (methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone), pregnancy considerations.
NSAIDs, acetaminophen & non-opioid analgesics
Mechanism (COX-1 vs COX-2), GI/renal/cardiac risks, aspirin dosing tiers, APAP toxicity, adjuvant analgesics.
Infectious Disease
1 topicPulmonary
1 topicEndocrine
3 topicsDiabetes drugs — insulin & orals
Pick the right agent by comorbidity. Know the killers (DKA, lactic acid, hypoglycemia, MTC).
Corticosteroids — chronic use, withdrawal, stress dose
What chronic steroids do to a body, when to taper, when to stress-dose.
Osteoporosis drugs
Bisphosphonates, denosumab, anabolics (teriparatide, romosozumab), SERM, HRT, calcium/vit D — when to use each.
Psych & Neuro
4 topicsPsych meds — SSRIs, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics
Pick by indication; know the deadly side effects (serotonin syndrome, NMS, lithium tox).
Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)
Pick by seizure type; know pregnancy safety and the dirty toxicities.
Anti-Parkinsonian drugs
Levodopa-carbidopa, dopamine agonists, MAO-B and COMT inhibitors, anticholinergics — when each helps and what they break.
Migraine pharmacology — abortive & prophylactic
Triptans, ergots, CGRP antagonists, gepants, ditans — and when to switch from abortive to prophylactic.