30 Pharmacology Mnemonics That Actually Work (Printable Cheat Sheet)

Exam-ready memory hacks for MBBS / NEET / clinical practicals — concise, printable, and focused. Updated: Sep 2025

Need to memorise drug groups, major side effects, and exam-favourite reversals — fast? These 30 battle-tested mnemonics (with short explanations) are designed for quick recall and last-minute revision. Use the printable cheat sheet below for rapid review.

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Quick answer (TL;DR)

Start with mnemonics #1–12 for drug class endings, #13–24 for side effects & reversals, and #25–30 for metabolic/CYP triggers and study hacks. Print the cheat sheet below and recite 10 mnemonics daily.

30 mnemonics — read fast, memorise faster

1. 1) -pril = ACE inhibitorsACE inhibitors typically end in -pril: captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril.
2. 2) -sartan = ARBsAngiotensin receptor blockers: losartan, valsartan, candesartan.
3. 3) -olol = Beta-blockersCommon beta-blockers end with -olol (propranolol, metoprolol, atenolol).
4. 4) ACE = Macrolides (Azithro, Clarithro, Erythro)Quick group recall for macrolide antibiotics.
5. 5) GNATS = AminoglycosidesG = Gentamicin, N = Neomycin, A = Amikacin, T = Tobramycin, S = Streptomycin.
6. 6) -floxacin = FluoroquinolonesCiprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin — remember tendon risk.
7. 7) PEcK / HENPEcK = Cephalosporin organism coveragePEcK (Proteus, E. coli, Klebsiella) for 1st gen; HENPEcK adds H. influenzae, Enterobacter, Neisseria for some 2nd gens.
8. 8) G PACMAN = CYP inhibitorsGrapefruit, Protease inhibitors, Azoles, Cyclosporine/Cimetidine, Macrolides, Amiodarone, Non-DHP CCBs.
9. 9) PS PORCS = CYP inducersPhenytoin, Smoking, Phenobarbital, Oxcarbazepine (some lists), Rifampicin, Carbamazepine, St John’s wort.
10. MONA = historical MI mnemonic: Morphine, Oxygen, Nitrates, Aspirin. It is not an automatic treatment bundle or a sequence of care. Use the current ACS pathway and patient-specific indications; oxygen is prescribed for an appropriate target range rather than given routinely. Oxygen reference: https://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/clinical-resources/guidelines/emergency-oxygen/
11. 11) Protamine / Vitamin K = Anticoagulant reversalsHeparin → Protamine sulfate; Warfarin → Vitamin K (± PCC for major bleeds).
12. 12) Anticholinergic tox: Hot as a hare, Dry as a bone, Red as a beet, Blind as a bat, Mad as a hatterClassic features of anticholinergic toxicity (antihistamines, TCAs, antipsychotics can cause this).
13. 13) Red-man = Vancomycin infusion reactionSlow infusion & antihistamine premedication if needed.
14. 14) SQUEEZE = QT-prolonging drugs (mnemonic flag)Antiarrhythmics, Quinolones, Macrolides, certain antipsychotics, antiemetics — always consider QT when syncope/arrhythmia appears.
15. 15) 5 Rights of drug administrationRight patient, Right drug, Right dose, Right route, Right time — essential for practicals and OSCEs.
16. 16) GOT — quick statin checkMonitor LFTs and counsel on myalgia when prescribing statins.
17. 17) Amiodarone = Multi-organ toxicityPulmonary fibrosis, hepatotoxicity, thyroid dysfunction, photosensitivity — exam staples.
18. 18) Clozapine → AgranulocytosisMandatory WBC/ANC monitoring — high-yield psych/pharma point.
19. 19) Hypokalemia culprits = Loop diuretics, Thiazides, Beta-agonistsUseful in ECG/arrhythmia questions with diuretic histories.
20. 20) Hyperkalemia culprits = ACEi, ARB, K-sparing diuretics, TrimethoprimRising K in renal patients — suspect these drugs.
21. 21) GOLD = Gingival hyperplasia (Phenytoin, Cyclosporine, CCBs)Simple prompt to recall drugs causing gingival enlargement.
22. 22) LAUGH = Local anaesthetic systemic toxicity promptProgression: perioral numbness → auditory changes → seizures/unconsciousness — spot in OSCEs.
23. 23) Opioid OD triad = CNS depression, Respiratory depression, MiosisNaloxone is the antidote — memorise for toxicology questions.
24. 24) SULFA = Sulfonamide reactionsRecall sulfa allergy risk (rash, SJS/TEN rare but tested).
25. 25) G6PD triggers = Fava beans, Sulfa, Nitrofurantoin, Primaquine, Dapsone (F S N P D)Classic triggers for hemolysis in G6PD deficiency.
26. 26) -statin = Statin family (Atorva-, Rosuva-, Simva-, Prava-)All end in -statin; monitor LFTs & muscles.
27. 27) Thyroid drugs = PTU vs Methimazole pregnancy nuancePTU preferred in early pregnancy; methimazole has teratogenic concerns in first trimester (exam nuance).
28. 28) 3-line answer template = Name → Mechanism → 1 exam pointUse this for concise viva answers or short notes.
29. 29) Remember the endings = -cillin, -azole, -statin, -sartan, -pril, -ololEndings map quickly to class & likely mechanism.
30. 30) Study hack = 1-page visual + spaced recallCreate a single A4 with icons for systems and pin 3 drugs to each icon; review with spaced repetition.

Printable Cheat Sheet (quick scan)

Mnemonic	Meaning / Quick expansion
-pril	ACE inhibitors — captopril, enalapril, lisinopril
-sartan	ARBs — losartan, valsartan
-olol	Beta-blockers — metoprolol, propranolol
ACE	Macrolides — Azithro, Clarithro, Erythro
GNATS	Aminoglycosides — Gent/Neo/Amik/Tobra/Strepto
-floxacin	Fluoroquinolones (cipro/levo/moxi) — tendon risk
PEcK / HENPEcK	Organisms covered by 1st/2nd gen cephalosporins
G PACMAN	CYP inhibitors (Grapefruit, Protease inhibitors, Azoles…)
PS PORCS	CYP inducers (Phenytoin, Smoking, Phenobarbital, Rifampicin, Carbamazepine…)
MONA	Historical mnemonic only; not an automatic ACS treatment bundle. Check individual indications and current protocol, including oxygen targets.
Protamine / Vitamin K	Heparin vs Warfarin reversal
Anticholinergic tox	Hot, Dry, Red, Blind, Mad — classic features
Red-man	Vancomycin infusion reaction
SQUEEZE	QT-prolonging drug groups — quick flag
5 Rights	Patient, Drug, Dose, Route, Time
G6PD triggers	Fava beans, Sulfa, Nitrofurantoin, Primaquine, Dapsone
GOLD	Gingival hyperplasia — phenytoin, cyclosporine, CCBs
Opioid triad	CNS ↓, Resp ↓, Miosis — naloxone = antidote
Amiodarone	Multi-organ toxicity (lung, liver, thyroid)
Statin	-statin family — monitor LFTs & muscle pain

Download printable PDF A4, single-page — opens in a new tab.

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How to use these mnemonics (3-step method)

1. Learn 5 per day — read aloud, write once, then test recall.
2. Apply to a case — link each mnemonic to a clinical vignette to cement memory.
3. Spaced recall — review after 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, and 14 days.

Short FAQ

Are these mnemonics safe to use in exams?Yes — they are memory aids. For prescribing, dosing, or patient management always consult standard textbooks, formularies, and local protocols.Can I print & share these with my batch?Yes — share freely. If posting publicly, please credit medicalnotes.in.

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