Pharmacology

A board-focused tour of autonomic pharmacology: the ACh/NE wiring diagram, adrenergic and cholinergic receptor subtypes with their G-proteins and effects, the key agonist/antagonist drug classes, and the classic tested toxidromes (organophosphate crisis, antimuscarinic toxicity, and unopposed-alpha traps).

A Step 1-focused tour of the antihypertensive classes — thiazides, ACE-Is/ARBs, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, and the second-line vasodilators and sympatholytics — organized around each agent's mechanism, first-line indications, and the signature toxicities the boards love to test.

A high-yield Step 1 walk down the nephron covering the five diuretic classes — their sites and molecular targets (carbonic anhydrase/PCT, NKCC2/loop, NCC/thiazide, aldosterone-receptor & ENaC/collecting duct, osmotic), signature toxicities, clinical uses, and the classic calcium and acid–base contrasts the boards test. Includes a full drug-comparison table, indication and toxicity vignettes, and the OH DANG / HyperGLUC mnemonics.

A Step 1-focused walkthrough of the Vaughan-Williams antiarrhythmic classes (I–IV plus adenosine and magnesium), pairing each agent's mechanism and clinical use with its signature board toxicity — drug-induced lupus, amiodarone organ toxicity, torsades, and the CAST proarrhythmia rule.

A Step 1–focused survey of anticoagulants (heparins, warfarin, and the DOACs), antiplatelet agents (aspirin, P2Y12 and GpIIb/IIIa inhibitors), and thrombolytics — organized around each drug's mechanism, monitoring test, antidote, and signature toxicity. Emphasizes board-favorite associations like HIT, warfarin skin necrosis, Reye syndrome, and ticlopidine agranulocytosis.

A Step 1-focused survey of antidiabetic drug classes that ties each agent to its mechanism, signature toxicity, and classic board associations — spanning insulin, metformin, insulin secretagogues (sulfonylureas/meglitinides), TZDs, incretin-based therapies (GLP-1 agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors), SGLT2 inhibitors, α-glucosidase inhibitors, and pramlintide. Emphasizes the high-yield discriminators USMLE vignettes hinge on: which drugs cause hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, euglycemic DKA, edema/CHF, genital candidiasis, and the medullary-thyroid-carcinoma contraindication.

A Step 1 high-yield tour of antiepileptic drugs organized by mechanism (use-dependent Na+ channel block, thalamic T-type and alpha-2-delta Ca2+ modulation, GABA-A enhancement, and SV2A binding), with seizure-type first-lines, a drug-comparison table, toxicity vignettes, legitimate mnemonics, and pharmacokinetic/pregnancy pearls.

A STEP 1 high-yield walkthrough of NSAIDs, aspirin, celecoxib, and acetaminophen — anchored in the arachidonic acid/COX pathway so every mechanism, indication, and toxicity (GI ulcers, AKI/papillary necrosis, Reye, salicylate acid–base overdose, and NAPQI hepatotoxicity) falls out of a single framework. Includes a drug-comparison table, vignette-to-drug clinical block, and the true classic mnemonics.