Pharmacology
Cheat Sheets
High-Yield Summary + MCQs
For Nursing, Medical & Pharmacy Students
Drug Classes Mechanisms Side Effects Exam Revision
Prepared by
Malek Nabil
First Edition | 2026 | Educational Use Only
This guide is for study and exam revision only. It does not replace clinical judgment or official drug references.
,Pharmacology Cheat Sheets Page 2
Disclaimer & How to Use This Guide
Medical Disclaimer
This guide is designed for educational purposes only. It summarizes important pharmacology concepts in
a simple, exam-focused way for students in nursing, medicine, pharmacy, and other health sciences.
The information in this guide should not be used to diagnose, treat, prescribe, or manage any medical
condition. Drug selection, dosage, route of administration, duration of therapy, contraindications, and
monitoring must always be determined by a licensed healthcare professional.
Although this guide aims to provide accurate and useful educational content, drug information can
change over time. Always refer to updated official references, clinical guidelines, institutional protocols,
and licensed professionals before making clinical decisions.
Focus first on drug classes, mechanisms of action, major side effects, and contraindications.
Study Tip
These are the most common exam areas.
How to Use This Guide
Use this guide as a quick revision tool before exams, quizzes, clinical practice, or pharmacology lectures.
- Read each drug class summary carefully.
- Focus on mechanism of action and major side effects.
- Compare similar drug classes using the tables.
- Test yourself using the MCQs at the end.
- Review incorrect answers and return to the related section.
Who Is This Guide For?
- Nursing students
- Medical students
- Pharmacy students
- Dental students
- Laboratory and health science students
- Students preparing for pharmacology exams
Prepared by Malek Nabil | Educational Use Only
,Pharmacology Cheat Sheets Page 3
Table of Contents
1. General Pharmacology Basics 5. Antidiabetic Drugs
1.1 What is Pharmacology? 5.1 Insulin
1.2 Pharmacokinetics vs Pharmacodynamics 5.2 Metformin
1.3 Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion 5.3 Sulfonylureas
1.4 Drug Receptors and Mechanism of Action 5.4 SGLT2 Inhibitors
1.5 Important Pharmacology Terms 5.5 GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
2. Antibiotics 5.6 Important Side Effects
2.1 What Are Antibiotics? 6. Respiratory Drugs
2.2 Bactericidal vs Bacteriostatic Antibiotics 6.1 Bronchodilators
2.3 Main Antibiotic Classes 6.2 Beta-2 Agonists
2.4 Mechanisms of Action 6.3 Anticholinergics
2.5 Common Side Effects 6.4 Corticosteroids
2.6 High-Yield Exam Table 6.5 Asthma and COPD Drug Summary
3. Analgesics & NSAIDs
3.1 Pain Relief Drug Classes
3.2 Paracetamol / Acetaminophen
3.3 NSAIDs
3.4 Opioid Analgesics
3.5 Major Side Effects and Contraindications
4. Cardiovascular Drugs
4.1 Antihypertensive Drugs
4.2 Beta Blockers
4.3 ACE Inhibitors and ARBs
4.4 Calcium Channel Blockers
4.5 Diuretics
4.6 Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets
7. High-Yield Side Effects Tables 8. MCQs with Answers 9. References
Prepared by Malek Nabil | Educational Use Only
, Pharmacology Cheat Sheets Page 4
1. General Pharmacology Basics
1.1 What is Pharmacology?
Pharmacology is the study of how drugs interact with living systems. It explains what a drug does to the body,
what the body does to the drug, and how these effects can be used safely in healthcare.
In exams, pharmacology is usually tested through drug classes, mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses,
adverse effects, contraindications, and patient safety points.
High-Yield Do not memorize every brand name. First understand the drug class, the mechanism, the
Idea key side effect, and one common clinical use.
1.2 Pharmacokinetics vs Pharmacodynamics
Concept Simple Meaning Exam Focus
Pharmacokinetics (PK) What the body does to the drug: absorption, Half-life, route, bioavailability,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion. renal/hepatic clearance.
Pharmacodynamics (PD) What the drug does to the body: receptor binding and Mechanism of action, potency,
biological response. efficacy, agonist/antagonist.
Fast Example
A tablet must be absorbed from the gut, distributed in the blood, metabolized by organs such as the liver, and
finally excreted. After reaching its target, it binds to receptors or enzymes and produces a clinical effect.
Prepared by Malek Nabil | Educational Use Only
Cheat Sheets
High-Yield Summary + MCQs
For Nursing, Medical & Pharmacy Students
Drug Classes Mechanisms Side Effects Exam Revision
Prepared by
Malek Nabil
First Edition | 2026 | Educational Use Only
This guide is for study and exam revision only. It does not replace clinical judgment or official drug references.
,Pharmacology Cheat Sheets Page 2
Disclaimer & How to Use This Guide
Medical Disclaimer
This guide is designed for educational purposes only. It summarizes important pharmacology concepts in
a simple, exam-focused way for students in nursing, medicine, pharmacy, and other health sciences.
The information in this guide should not be used to diagnose, treat, prescribe, or manage any medical
condition. Drug selection, dosage, route of administration, duration of therapy, contraindications, and
monitoring must always be determined by a licensed healthcare professional.
Although this guide aims to provide accurate and useful educational content, drug information can
change over time. Always refer to updated official references, clinical guidelines, institutional protocols,
and licensed professionals before making clinical decisions.
Focus first on drug classes, mechanisms of action, major side effects, and contraindications.
Study Tip
These are the most common exam areas.
How to Use This Guide
Use this guide as a quick revision tool before exams, quizzes, clinical practice, or pharmacology lectures.
- Read each drug class summary carefully.
- Focus on mechanism of action and major side effects.
- Compare similar drug classes using the tables.
- Test yourself using the MCQs at the end.
- Review incorrect answers and return to the related section.
Who Is This Guide For?
- Nursing students
- Medical students
- Pharmacy students
- Dental students
- Laboratory and health science students
- Students preparing for pharmacology exams
Prepared by Malek Nabil | Educational Use Only
,Pharmacology Cheat Sheets Page 3
Table of Contents
1. General Pharmacology Basics 5. Antidiabetic Drugs
1.1 What is Pharmacology? 5.1 Insulin
1.2 Pharmacokinetics vs Pharmacodynamics 5.2 Metformin
1.3 Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion 5.3 Sulfonylureas
1.4 Drug Receptors and Mechanism of Action 5.4 SGLT2 Inhibitors
1.5 Important Pharmacology Terms 5.5 GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
2. Antibiotics 5.6 Important Side Effects
2.1 What Are Antibiotics? 6. Respiratory Drugs
2.2 Bactericidal vs Bacteriostatic Antibiotics 6.1 Bronchodilators
2.3 Main Antibiotic Classes 6.2 Beta-2 Agonists
2.4 Mechanisms of Action 6.3 Anticholinergics
2.5 Common Side Effects 6.4 Corticosteroids
2.6 High-Yield Exam Table 6.5 Asthma and COPD Drug Summary
3. Analgesics & NSAIDs
3.1 Pain Relief Drug Classes
3.2 Paracetamol / Acetaminophen
3.3 NSAIDs
3.4 Opioid Analgesics
3.5 Major Side Effects and Contraindications
4. Cardiovascular Drugs
4.1 Antihypertensive Drugs
4.2 Beta Blockers
4.3 ACE Inhibitors and ARBs
4.4 Calcium Channel Blockers
4.5 Diuretics
4.6 Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets
7. High-Yield Side Effects Tables 8. MCQs with Answers 9. References
Prepared by Malek Nabil | Educational Use Only
, Pharmacology Cheat Sheets Page 4
1. General Pharmacology Basics
1.1 What is Pharmacology?
Pharmacology is the study of how drugs interact with living systems. It explains what a drug does to the body,
what the body does to the drug, and how these effects can be used safely in healthcare.
In exams, pharmacology is usually tested through drug classes, mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses,
adverse effects, contraindications, and patient safety points.
High-Yield Do not memorize every brand name. First understand the drug class, the mechanism, the
Idea key side effect, and one common clinical use.
1.2 Pharmacokinetics vs Pharmacodynamics
Concept Simple Meaning Exam Focus
Pharmacokinetics (PK) What the body does to the drug: absorption, Half-life, route, bioavailability,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion. renal/hepatic clearance.
Pharmacodynamics (PD) What the drug does to the body: receptor binding and Mechanism of action, potency,
biological response. efficacy, agonist/antagonist.
Fast Example
A tablet must be absorbed from the gut, distributed in the blood, metabolized by organs such as the liver, and
finally excreted. After reaching its target, it binds to receptors or enzymes and produces a clinical effect.
Prepared by Malek Nabil | Educational Use Only
