HIGH YIELD DRUGS FOR USMLE AND
COMLEX
Hypertension in pregnancy - Answer-Hydralazine, methyldopa, labetalol, nifedipine
Patient has heparin induced thrombocytopenia - Answer-STOP the heparin and give
a direct thrombin inhibitor (agatroban)
Patient needs NSAID but has gastric ulcers - Answer-celecoxib (COX-2 inhibitor)
patient needs furosemide but has a sulfa allergy - Answer-ethacrynic acid
gynecomastia - Answer-spironolactone & ketaconazole
switch to eplerenone
diuretics - Answer-HYPERcalcemia - caused by thiazides
HYPOcalcemia - caused by loops (loops lose)
Thiazide diuretics - Answer-woresen gout and cause hyperuricemia
loop diuretics - Answer-causes ototoxicity
Ototoxicity - Answer-caused by aminoglycosides, loop diuretics, cisplatin, ASA
(aspirin)
Nephrotoxicity - Answer-caused by aminoglycosides and amophotercin B
Dilated cardiomyopathy - Answer-caused by alcohol, doxorubin / danorubicin (aka
chemotherapy)
treat the patient with dexrazoxane
rifampin - Answer-orange bodily secretions (like orange pee)
Vancomycin - Answer-red man syndrome
It typically consists of pruritus, an erythematous rash that involves the face, neck,
and upper torso. Less frequently, hypotension and angioedema can occur.
chloramphenicol - Answer-grey baby syndrome
abdominal distention, hemodynamic collapse, and ashen-gray skin discoloration in
neonates
Agranulocytosis - Answer-caused by clozapine (moniter your CBC Clozly)
COMLEX
Hypertension in pregnancy - Answer-Hydralazine, methyldopa, labetalol, nifedipine
Patient has heparin induced thrombocytopenia - Answer-STOP the heparin and give
a direct thrombin inhibitor (agatroban)
Patient needs NSAID but has gastric ulcers - Answer-celecoxib (COX-2 inhibitor)
patient needs furosemide but has a sulfa allergy - Answer-ethacrynic acid
gynecomastia - Answer-spironolactone & ketaconazole
switch to eplerenone
diuretics - Answer-HYPERcalcemia - caused by thiazides
HYPOcalcemia - caused by loops (loops lose)
Thiazide diuretics - Answer-woresen gout and cause hyperuricemia
loop diuretics - Answer-causes ototoxicity
Ototoxicity - Answer-caused by aminoglycosides, loop diuretics, cisplatin, ASA
(aspirin)
Nephrotoxicity - Answer-caused by aminoglycosides and amophotercin B
Dilated cardiomyopathy - Answer-caused by alcohol, doxorubin / danorubicin (aka
chemotherapy)
treat the patient with dexrazoxane
rifampin - Answer-orange bodily secretions (like orange pee)
Vancomycin - Answer-red man syndrome
It typically consists of pruritus, an erythematous rash that involves the face, neck,
and upper torso. Less frequently, hypotension and angioedema can occur.
chloramphenicol - Answer-grey baby syndrome
abdominal distention, hemodynamic collapse, and ashen-gray skin discoloration in
neonates
Agranulocytosis - Answer-caused by clozapine (moniter your CBC Clozly)
