196 cards · .apkg and CSV

Pharmacology: Top 100 Drugs — MintDeck

196 cards covering 100+ of the most clinically important drugs across every major system: antimicrobials, cardiovascular, CNS, gastrointestinal, endocrine, respiratory, analgesics, autoimmune, oncology, and more. Each card follows a consistent Class / MOA / Uses / Side Effects format so the patterns are easy to learn and easy to recall.

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1Front

Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)

pharmacology · cardiovascular · ace-inhibitors · mintdeck

1Back

Class: ACE Inhibitor. MOA: Inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme, reducing angiotensin II and aldosterone. Uses: Hypertension, heart failure, post-MI. SE: Cough (dry), hyperkalemia, angioedema.

2Front

Losartan (Cozaar)

pharmacology · cardiovascular · arbs · mintdeck

2Back

Class: ARB (Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker). MOA: Blocks AT1 receptors, reducing vasoconstriction and aldosterone. Uses: Hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, stroke prevention. SE: Dizziness, hyperkalemia (less cough than ACE).

3Front

Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)

pharmacology · cardiovascular · beta-blockers · mintdeck

3Back

Class: Beta-1 selective blocker. MOA: Blocks beta-1 receptors in heart, reducing HR and contractility. Uses: Hypertension, angina, heart failure, post-MI. SE: Bradycardia, fatigue, masked hypoglycemia symptoms.

4Front

Amlodipine (Norvasc)

pharmacology · cardiovascular · calcium-channel-blockers · mintdeck

4Back

Class: Calcium Channel Blocker (dihydropyridine). MOA: Blocks L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle causing vasodilation. Uses: Hypertension, angina. SE: Peripheral edema, headache, dizziness.

5Front

Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Microzide)

pharmacology · cardiovascular · diuretics · mintdeck

5Back

Class: Thiazide Diuretic. MOA: Inhibits NaCl reabsorption in distal convoluted tubule. Uses: Hypertension, mild heart failure. SE: Hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, hypomagnesemia.

6Front

Furosemide (Lasix)

pharmacology · cardiovascular · diuretics · mintdeck

6Back

Class: Loop Diuretic. MOA: Inhibits Na-K-2Cl cotransporter in thick ascending Loop of Henle. Uses: Severe HF, pulmonary edema, renal impairment. SE: Hypokalemia, ototoxicity (high dose), dehydration.

7Front

Spironolactone (Aldactone)

pharmacology · cardiovascular · diuretics · mintdeck

7Back

Class: Potassium-Sparing Diuretic, Aldosterone Antagonist. MOA: Blocks aldosterone receptors in collecting duct. Uses: Heart failure (reduces mortality), hypertension, cirrhosis. SE: Hyperkalemia, gynecomastia.

8Front

Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

pharmacology · cardiovascular · statins · mintdeck

8Back

Class: Statin (HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor). MOA: Inhibits cholesterol synthesis in liver, increases LDL receptors. Uses: Hyperlipidemia, CAD prevention. SE: Myopathy, hepatotoxicity, diabetes risk increase.

9Front

Simvastatin (Zocor)

pharmacology · cardiovascular · statins · mintdeck

9Back

Class: Statin. MOA: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. Uses: Hyperlipidemia, CVD prevention. Note: Many drug interactions (CYP3A4). Avoid with grapefruit juice. SE: Myopathy, rhabdomyolysis risk.

10Front

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)

pharmacology · cardiovascular · antiplatelets · mintdeck

10Back

Class: Antiplatelet, NSAID. MOA: Irreversibly inhibits COX-1 and COX-2, reducing thromboxane A2 (platelet aggregation). Uses: MI/stroke prevention, pain, fever. SE: GI bleeding, Reye's syndrome (children).

11Front

Clopidogrel (Plavix)

pharmacology · cardiovascular · antiplatelets · mintdeck

11Back

Class: P2Y12 Platelet Inhibitor (thienopyridine). MOA: Irreversibly blocks P2Y12 ADP receptors on platelets. Uses: ACS, post-stent, stroke prevention. SE: Bleeding, TTP (rare). Prodrug: needs CYP2C19 activation.

12Front

Warfarin (Coumadin)

pharmacology · cardiovascular · anticoagulants · mintdeck

12Back

Class: Vitamin K Antagonist Anticoagulant. MOA: Inhibits synthesis of factors II, VII, IX, X, Protein C/S. Uses: AFib, DVT/PE, mechanical valves. Monitoring: INR (target 2-3). Antidote: Vitamin K, FFP/PCC.

13Front

Heparin (unfractionated)

pharmacology · cardiovascular · anticoagulants · mintdeck

13Back

Class: Anticoagulant. MOA: Binds antithrombin III, inactivates thrombin and factor Xa. Uses: Acute DVT/PE, ACS, DVT prophylaxis. Monitoring: aPTT. Antidote: Protamine sulfate.

14Front

Enoxaparin (Lovenox)

pharmacology · cardiovascular · anticoagulants · mintdeck

14Back

Class: Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH). MOA: Binds antithrombin III, inactivates factor Xa > thrombin. Uses: DVT prophylaxis/treatment, ACS. Advantages: SC dosing, no routine monitoring. Antidote: Protamine (partial).

15Front

Digoxin (Lanoxin)

pharmacology · cardiovascular · cardiac-glycosides · mintdeck

15Back

Class: Cardiac Glycoside. MOA: Inhibits Na+/K+ ATPase, increasing intracellular Ca2+ and contractility (positive inotrope). Uses: Heart failure, AFib rate control. Narrow therapeutic window (0.5-2.0 ng/mL). SE: Arrhythmias, nausea, visual disturbances.

16Front

Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitro-Dur)

pharmacology · cardiovascular · nitrates · mintdeck

16Back

Class: Nitrate Vasodilator. MOA: Converts to NO, activates guanylyl cyclase, increases cGMP → vasodilation. Uses: Angina (acute + prophylaxis), HF. Forms: SL (acute), topical, IV. SE: Headache, hypotension, reflex tachycardia.

17Front

Carvedilol (Coreg)

pharmacology · cardiovascular · beta-blockers · mintdeck

17Back

Class: Non-selective Beta Blocker + Alpha-1 Blocker. MOA: Blocks beta-1, beta-2, and alpha-1 receptors → reduces HR, contractility, and vasodilates. Uses: Heart failure, hypertension, post-MI. SE: Dizziness, bradycardia, edema.

18Front

Albuterol (Ventolin, ProAir)

pharmacology · respiratory · bronchodilators · mintdeck

18Back

Class: SABA (Short-Acting Beta-2 Agonist). MOA: Beta-2 agonist → bronchodilation via cAMP. Uses: Acute asthma/COPD exacerbations, exercise-induced bronchospasm. SE: Tremor, tachycardia, hypokalemia. Onset: 5 min, duration 4-6 hr.

19Front

Salmeterol (Serevent)

pharmacology · respiratory · bronchodilators · mintdeck

19Back

Class: LABA (Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist). MOA: Beta-2 agonist → bronchodilation for 12 hr. Uses: COPD maintenance, asthma (ONLY with ICS - never alone). Black Box: Increased asthma death risk when used without ICS.

20Front

Fluticasone (Flovent)

pharmacology · respiratory · corticosteroids · mintdeck

20Back

Class: ICS (Inhaled Corticosteroid). MOA: Reduces airway inflammation by suppressing inflammatory cytokines. Uses: Asthma prophylaxis, COPD. SE: Oral thrush, dysphonia. Rinse mouth after use.

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Topics covered

10 topics

Antimicrobials
Penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, fluoroquinolones, antifungals, antivirals & more
35 cards
Cardiovascular
ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta-blockers, statins, anticoagulants & more
32 cards
CNS (Central Nervous System)
Antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, antiepileptics & more
31 cards
Gastrointestinal
PPIs, H2 blockers, antiemetics, laxatives, IBD therapies
17 cards
Endocrine
Diabetes, thyroid, corticosteroids, sex hormones
16 cards
Respiratory
Bronchodilators, inhaled steroids, leukotriene modifiers
13 cards
Analgesics
NSAIDs, opioids, neuropathic pain agents
12 cards
Autoimmune
DMARDs, biologics, gout therapies
9 cards
Oncology
Core chemotherapy and targeted-therapy agents
8 cards
Other (Allergy, Ophthalmology, Misc.)
Antihistamines, anaphylaxis, ophthalmic agents, and other essentials
23 cards

Card format

Front: Generic name (brand name)e.g. Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
Back: Class, mechanism of action, key uses, notable side effects

Who it’s for

Medical, nursing, and pharmacy students learning core pharmacology
USMLE Step 1 / NCLEX / NAPLEX candidates revising high-yield drugs
PA and NP students preparing for boards or rotations
Anyone who needs the top-100 drug list to actually stick

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This deck is provided for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and must not be used to guide clinical decision-making. Always consult current prescribing information and clinical guidelines.