Mechanisms, explained simply10 min read
What does -prazole mean?
The -prazole stem marks a proton pump inhibitor. Why irreversible binding makes the effect outlast the drug, why dosing is before food, and the CYP2C19 trap.
Pharmacology Blog
Pharmacology, one bit at a time.
Free pharmacology study notes for pharmacy, nursing, and medical students: drug mechanisms explained simply, exam traps for NAPLEX, PEBC, GPhC-CRA, and PCN, and the drug-class connections most textbooks leave out.
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What does -dipine mean?
The -dipine stem marks a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker acting on vessels rather than the heart. Why that causes ankle oedema and reflex tachycardia.
10 min read · Updated 2026-09-13Read guide →All posts 29Mechanisms, explained simply 9Exam traps: X vs Y 6Side effects & contraindications 9How to study 5
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Mechanisms, explained simply10 min read
What do -azepam and -azolam mean?
The -azepam and -azolam stems mark benzodiazepines. Why frequency rather than duration of channel opening makes them safer than barbiturates, and which are safe in liver disease.
Mechanisms, explained simply10 min read
What does -terol mean?
The -terol stem marks a beta-2 agonist. Why the same receptor causes bronchodilation, tremor and low potassium, and why a long-acting one is never used alone in asthma.
Mechanisms, explained simply10 min read
What does -floxacin mean?
The -floxacin stem marks a fluoroquinolone inhibiting DNA gyrase. Why tendon rupture, QT prolongation and the chelation interaction all follow from the class.
How to study11 min read
Best free pharmacology resources for students
The free pharmacology resources worth your time: official drug labels, national formularies, NIH databases, regulator blueprints and where each one falls short.
How to study11 min read
Best pharmacy calculators: the twelve calculations to master
The twelve calculations pharmacy exams actually test, each with its formula and the error that costs most marks, plus free calculators for six of them.
Exam traps: X vs Y9 min read
Mycin vs micin: one letter, two organisms
The endings mark the organism that produced the antibiotic, not how it works. Why gentamicin and erythromycin are spelled differently and share nothing else.
How to study10 min read
Drug suffixes in pharmacology: what stems tell you
Stems are assigned by mechanism, so -olol, -pril and -sartan predict the target before you memorise anything. How the system works and exactly where it stops.
Mechanisms, explained simply10 min read
How to memorize autonomic pharmacology
Every autonomic pathway is the same two-neuron chain. Learn which transmitter and receptor sits at each step and the drug effects become derivable.
Exam traps: X vs Y10 min read
Bactericidal vs bacteriostatic antibiotics
A laboratory definition, not a clinical one. What the MBC/MIC ratio means, why it shifts between labs, and what trials in severe infection actually found.
Mechanisms, explained simply9 min read
CYP450 inducers and inhibitors, explained by mechanism
Why the mnemonics fail: inhibition is immediate and induction takes days, prodrugs reverse the direction, and the FDA defines strong inhibition by a measured AUC change.
How to study9 min read
NAPLEX, PEBC, GPhC, OPRA and PCN compared
Five pharmacist licensing exams compared: who runs each, what format it takes, and how much of your pharmacology actually transfers between them.
Side effects & contraindications10 min read
Why prescribed drugs fail urine drug screens
Immunoassays detect a molecular shape, not a named drug. Which prescribed drugs cross-react, why, and the benzodiazepine trap that runs the other way.
How to study13 min read
The best pharmacology apps in 2026: an honest comparison
Nine apps compared on how they actually teach, not on feature count. Anki, Sketchy, Picmonic, PharmBit, RxFlip, Quizlet, Osmosis, UWorld RxPrep and the drug references.
Exam traps: X vs Y9 min read
Selective vs nonselective beta-blockers: what changes at the receptor
Which receptors each class blocks, why selectivity fades as the dose rises, and the asthma trap. Mechanism-first in seven minutes.
Side effects & contraindications9 min read
Why grapefruit blocks statins: CYP3A4 explained for pharmacy exams 2026
Intestinal CYP3A4 inhibition explained, which statins are affected, and the exam trap. Safety-first pharmacology in six minutes.
Exam traps: X vs Y9 min read
Morphine vs codeine: why CYP2D6 decides which works
Codeine is a prodrug activated by CYP2D6, morphine is not. Poor and ultra-rapid metabolisers, and the exam trap.
Mechanisms, explained simply9 min read
Beta-blockers mask hypoglycaemia symptoms: mechanism explained
Attenuated adrenergic warning signs explained, what remains visible, and the exam trap. Mechanism-first in six minutes.
Side effects & contraindications9 min read
Warfarin counselling points: INR, vitamin K and interactions for pharmacy exams 2026
INR target range, vitamin K consistency, key interactions and bleeding signs. Safety-first pharmacology in six minutes.
Side effects & contraindications9 min read
NSAIDs to avoid in renal impairment, ulcers and asthma: exam list 2026
Renal, gastric and bronchial risks explained by mechanism. The avoid list for pharmacy exams in six minutes.
Beyond the blog
Study guides and comparisons
Study guides
Beta-blockers: the family in five minutes
Shared root, selective vs nonselective members, uses, adverse effects and exam traps.
Read guide →Statins: the family in five minutes
HMG-CoA reductase root, CYP3A4 split, muscle risks and counselling points.
Read guide →Opioids: the family in five minutes
Mu-receptor root, prodrug activation, constipation persistence and PAMORA rescue.
Read guide →Comparisons
Propranolol vs atenolol
Selectivity, brain penetration, asthma risk and exam picks in one table.
Read guide →Heparin vs enoxaparin
Monitoring, HIT risk, renal dosing and protamine reversal in one table.
Read guide →Metoprolol vs atenolol
Heart failure evidence, CNS penetration and tartrate vs succinate in one table.
Read guide →