Dose: 80 mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses for 7 days; maximum 800 mg 4 times a day Time to start prophylaxis: 7-10 days after exposure (late incubation period) Indication: People without evidence of immunity and with contraindications for varicella vaccination (VZIg) Results from some studies Among 27 children in the…
Tag: Pharmacology
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Competitive, Non-competitive and Uncompetitive Inhibitors
Vmax is the maximum velocity, or how fast the enzyme can go at full ‘‘speed.’’ Vmax is reached when all of the enzyme is in the enzyme–substrate complex. Km is the substrate concentration at which v = 1/2 Vmax. Km approximately describes the affinity of the substrate for the enzyme….
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Signaling Pathways of Hormones : Mnemonic
cAMP Mechanism Mnemonic: FLAT CAMP B-HCGS Remember “B-FLAT” mnemonic for hormones secreted by basophilic cells of the anterior pituitary. This is the same “FLAT” here. Also CAMP matches cAMP. Beta-HCG works by cAMP mechanism. All 2 except Beta 1 and 5-HT1 So, this is an easy mnemonic to remember. FSH…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Long term PPI use : Associated risks
Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are often self-prescribed by the patients and since PPIs are available over-the-counter, patients can have free access to them and for long periods of time, without seeking medical attention. Although guidelines for OTC use suggest a short course (2 week treatment) of PPIs in patients with typical…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Ethambutol Induced Optic Neuropathy
Mechanism of Ethambutol induced optic neuropathy Ethambutol is metabolized to a chelating agent. The chelating agent formed then may impair the function of metal-containing mitochondiral enzymes, such as the copper containing cytochrome-c oxidase of complex IV and the iron containing NADH:Q oxidoreductase of complex I. These mitochondrial respiratory chain play…
Clinical Skills and Approaches 
Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
Recommendations for Prescribing Opioid in Chronic pain 1. 1st line of therapy in chronic pain outside of active cancer, palliative or end of life care must be nonpharmacologic therapy and nonopioid pharmacologic. Consider opioid therapy in combination with nonpharmacologic or nonopioid pharmacologic therapy if benefits outweighs risk. 2. Ordinarily 2…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Opioid Receptors Mnemonic
Opioid receptors are a group of inhibitory G protein-coupled receptors with opioids as ligands. Mu (µ) Receptor (MOP) Mnemonic: MU CARDS Miosis eUphoria Constipation Analgesia (Supraspinal + Spinal) Respiratory depression Rigidity (truncal) Dependency Sedation µ1 mediates supraspinal analgesia, and most of other effects including spinal analgesia is mediated by µ2. Kappa…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Antidepressants Made Easy
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA) Mnemonic: -pramine, -triptyline, -pin Secondary amines: predominantly norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors Nor-triptyline Desi-pramine Tertiary amines: Ami-triptyline Imi-pramine Clomi-pramine Doxe-pin Irreversible MAO Inhibitors Mnemonic: TIPS Non-selective MAO inhibitors: Tranylcypromine Isocarboxazid Phenelzine Selective MAO-B inhibitor: Selegiline (transdermal patch) Reversible Inhibitor of MAO-A (RIMA) Moclobemide Tolaxatone Tetracyclic Antidepressants Nonselective inhibitor of…