Side Effects (Mnemonic)

Question 1

ACE Inhibitors

Answer 1

TOP CARD
teratogenic
orthostatic hypotension
potassium increase
cough (dry)
angioedema
renal impairment
dizziness

Question 2

ARBs

Answer 2

CHOP DAT
cough
headache
orthostatic hypotension
potassium increase
dizziness
angioedema
teratogenic

Question 3

Calcium Channel Blockers

Answer 3

SHRED
slower heart rate
hypotension/headaches
reflex tachycardia
edema (peripheral)
dizziness

Question 4

Beta Blockers

Answer 4

BAD FISH
bradycardia/bronchospasm
AV block/arrhythmias
dizziness
fatigue
impotence
S/S hypoglycemia masked
hypotension

Question 5

Hydralazine

Answer 5

HYDRANTS
hypotension/headaches
yakking
dizziness
rash
anorexia
nausea
tachycardia (reflex)
systemic lupus erythematosus

Question 6

Clonidine

Answer 6

HTN DRUG
headache
tired
not able to poop
dizziness/drug mouth
rash/erythema
unable to stay awake
GI upset

Question 7

Nitrates

Answer 7

FLUSHED
flushing
lightheadedness
upset stomach
syncope
hypotension/headache
effectiveness/tolerance decreases
dizziness

Question 8

Digoxin

Answer 8

Digoxin Needs Help
dizziness
nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
headache

Question 9

Amiodarone

Answer 9

AMIODARONE
abnormal thyroid function
muscle weakness
interstitial lung disease
optic neuropathy
discoloration of the skin
ataxia/tremors
reduction of HR/BP
ocular corneal microdeposits
nausea, vomiting, constipation
enzyme fluctuations of the liver

Question 10

Statins

Answer 10

HMG COA
hepatotoxicity/headache
myalgia/myopathy
GI upset
CPK increase
avoid during pregnancy

Question 11

Ezetimibe

Answer 11

I DUMP
increased LFTs
diarrhea
upper respiratory tract infections
muscle pains
pain in the extremities

Question 12

Fibric Acids

Answer 12

DUAL
dyspepsia
upper respiratory tract infections
abdominal pain
LFTs/CPKs increase

Question 13

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Answer 13

EAT
excess burping
abdominal pain/upset stomach/dyspepsia
taste perversions

Question 14

Cyclobenzaprine

Answer 14

BADS
blurred vision
anticholinergic side effects
dry mouth
sedating/somnolence

Question 15

Tizanidine

Answer 15

BASH M
bradycardia
asthenia
sedation/dizziness
hepatotoxicity
mouth dryness

Question 16

Baclofen

Answer 16

HAND
headache
asthenia
nausea/vomiting
drowsiness/dizziness

Question 17

Methocarbamol

Answer 17

SAILS
stomach upset
aching head
insomnia
low blood pressure
sedated state

Question 18

NSAIDs

Answer 18

BIRDS
bleeding (GI)
increase blood pressure
rash/renal impairment
dizziness
stomach upset

Question 19

Salicylates

Answer 19

ASPIRIN
abdominal pain
salicylates intolerance
peptic ulcers
intestinal/gastric bleeds
Reye’s syndrome/rash
indigestion(heartburn)
nausea/vomiting

Question 20

Selective COX-2 Inhibitors

Answer 20

BIRDS
bleeding (GI)
increase blood pressure
rash/renal impairment
dizziness
stomach upset

Question 21

Opioid Agonists

Answer 21

MORPHINES
myosis
orthostatic hypotension
respiratory depression
pruritus/rash
hypotension
inability to go
nausea
euphoria
sedation/somnolence

Question 22

Centrally Acting Analgesics

Answer 22

GI LESS
GI distress
itching
looks flush
edema/emptying issues
sedation/dizziness
sweating

Question 23

Acetaminophen

Answer 23

LIVER
liver toxicity
itching
vomiting/nausea
erythema of the skin
rash

Question 24

Lidocaine patch

Answer 24

RIBS
rash/redness
itching
burning
swelling

Question 25

Phenazopyridine

Answer 25

2BLUSH bi days lightheadedness urine/fluid discoloration to red-orange stomach cramps headache

Question 26

Loop Diuretics

Answer 26

LOOP HENLE loss of potassium ototoxicity orthostatic hypotension photosensitivity hyperglycemia elevated urine level nephritis loss of electrolytes elevated triglycerides

Question 27

Thiazides

Answer 27

CURES Edema calcium increase uricemia rash/raises blood glucose elevated lipids sun sensitivity electrolyte losses

Question 28

Potassium-Sparing Diuretics

Answer 28

STICHHES stomach upset triglycerides increase impotence creatinine increase hyperkalemia hair growth enlargement of breasts skin rash

Question 29

Penicillins

Answer 29

NASTY Diarrhea nausea abdominal pain skin rash/seizures throat closes yakking diarrhea

Question 30

Cephalosporins

Answer 30

NASTY Diarrhea nausea abdominal pain skin rash/seizures throat closes yakking diarrhea

Question 31

Metronidazole

Answer 31

NAAG neuropathy (peripheral) alcohol-associated disulfiram rxn abnormal taste in mouth (metallic) GI side effects

Question 32

Tetracyclines

Answer 32

BLAST bone defects in fetus liver damage abdominal discomfort sun sensitivity/skin rash teeth discoloration

Question 33

Macrolides

Answer 33

QT GLIDE QTc prolongation GI side effects liver toxicity injection site rxns diarrhea ear toxicity

Question 34

Fluoroquinolones

Answer 34

SPRING skin rash/sun sensitivity prolongation of QTc interval and peripheral neuropathy rupture of tendons increase risk of C. difficile infections neurological (confusion, insomnia) GI intolerance, dysGlycemia

Question 35

Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim

Answer 35

GALSS GI side effects anaphylaxis lowers platelets skin rash serum potassium and serum creatinine increase

Question 36

Nitrofurantoin

Answer 36

RUSH rash urine discoloration (brown) stomach upset headache

Question 37

Clindamycin

Answer 37

CAN clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea abnormal liver function tests nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain

Question 38

Antivirals

Answer 38

VIRALS vomiting increased serum creatinine rash aching headache liver enzymes increase stomach upset

Question 39

Azole Antifungals

Answer 39

AILS aching head inhibits CYP450 enzymes liver toxicity stomach upset

Question 40

Mupirocin

Answer 40

RIBS rhinitis itching burning skin rash