The Ultimate 100 Pharmacology Mnemonics for Nursing Students

Pharmacology Mnemonics for Nursing Students: Why Memorization Alone Fails

Pharmacology is the "dream killer" of nursing school. It is the subject that filters out more students than any other. Why? Because most students try to memorize thousands of generic drug names, side effects, and mechanisms of action using rote repetition.

That is the "old way."

If you want to understand how adaptive systems outperform rote memorization, read The Ultimate Guide to AI for NCLEX Preparation and Nursing School.

To pass the NCLEX and survive your Pharm exams, you don't need a bigger hard drive; you need better file compression. We don't just give you an acronym; we give you a Visual Hook — a mental movie designed to trigger your episodic memory so you never forget the drug class.

Here are the top 100 pharmacology mnemonics, broken down by body system, to help you master the meds.

Before diving in, test your weak areas using our Free NCLEX Practice Questions so you know which drug systems to prioritize.

Cardiovascular Pharmacology Mnemonics (High-Yield for NCLEX)

Cardiac medications are among the most heavily tested drug classes on the NCLEX. If you only memorize one section, make it this one.

1. The Standard 4: A.B.C.D.

Use this to categorize the main antihypertensives.

• A = ACE Inhibitors (-prils) & ARBs (-sartans)
• B = Beta Blockers (-olols)
• C = Calcium Channel Blockers
• D = Diuretics (-ide / -thiazide) & Digoxin

For a full breakdown of toxicity signs and nursing interventions, review Digoxin Toxicity: A Clinical Review for Nurses.

Visual Hook (Mental Movie):
Imagine a giant human heart wearing armored armor (Vest), holding a calcium shield, while diving into a swimming pool to lower its pressure.

2. ACE Inhibitors (-pril)

Mnemonic: A-C-E

• A = Angioedema (Swelling of lips/tongue — emergency)
• C = Cough (The classic dry ACE cough)
• E = Electrolyte imbalance (Hyperkalemia / High Potassium)

3. Calcium Channel Blockers

Mnemonic: Very Nice Drugs

• V = Verapamil
• N = Nifedipine
• D = Diltiazem

Action: Calms the heart like "very nice" yoga.

4. Beta Blockers (-olol)

Mnemonic: The 4 B's

• Bradycardia (Check pulse <60)
• Blood pressure decrease
• Bronchoconstriction (Use caution in Asthma/COPD)
• Blood sugar masking (Hypoglycemia symptoms hidden)

5. Digoxin (Cardiac Glycoside)

Mnemonic: DIG

• D = Dig deeper (↑ Contractility, ↓ Heart Rate)
• I = Intoxication (Vision changes, yellow halos)
• G = Get Potassium (Low K+ increases toxicity risk)

6. Nitroglycerin (Nitrates)

Mnemonic: HEAD

• H = Headache (Vasodilation effect)
• E = Every 5 minutes (Up to 3 doses)
• A = Access EMS if pain persists after first dose
• D = Don’t mix with Sildenafil (Severe hypotension risk)

7. Statins (Cholesterol Management)

Mnemonic: HMG

• H = Hepatotoxicity (Monitor liver enzymes)
• M = Muscle pain (Rhabdomyolysis risk)
• G = Grapefruit juice is a NO

AI Image Prompt for Visualization:
A cartoon liver lifting heavy weights looking exhausted (muscle pain) while refusing a glass of grapefruit juice labeled “Statin Gym.”

Now apply these drugs in clinical scenarios with
NGN Pharmacology Case Studies (10 Examples with Answers and Rationale).

Respiratory Pharmacology Mnemonics for Nursing Students

Respiratory medications are frequently tested in both standalone pharmacology questions and NGN case studies involving asthma, COPD, and acute exacerbations.

If you struggle applying inhalers and bronchodilators in complex scenarios, review How to Read NGN Case Stems (Clinical Judgment Strategy Guide) before moving into case-based questions.

8. The Bronchodilator vs. Anti-Inflammatory Rule

Mnemonic: BAM–SLM

BAM (Bronchodilators — Open the tunnel):

• Beta 2 Agonists (Albuterol)
• Anticholinergics (Ipratropium)
• Methylxanthines (Theophylline)

SLM (Anti-Inflammatories — Clean the tunnel):

• Steroids (Beclomethasone)
• Leukotrienes (Montelukast)
• Mast Cell Stabilizers (Cromolyn)

Visual Hook (Mental Movie):
A loud, bamming airplane motor (BAM) blows clouds away to open the sky, allowing the slow, methodical medics (SLM) to land safely and clean up the runway.

9. Albuterol (Rescue Inhaler)

Mnemonic: AIM

• A = Avoid Beta Blockers (They cancel each other out)
• I = Insomnia & Tachycardia (It ramps you up)
• M = Metered Dose Inhaler instructions (Shake it before use)

10. Theophylline

Mnemonic: The Three T's

• Toxic (>20 mcg/mL)
• Tonic-clonic seizures (Sign of toxicity)
• Tachycardia (Avoid caffeine)

Neurological & Psychotropic Drug Mnemonics for Nursing Students

Psych medications are heavily tested on the NCLEX, particularly in prioritization and safety questions. Understanding both mechanism and side effects is critical for clinical judgment.

11. SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)

Mnemonic: Effective For Sadness, Panic, & Compulsions

• E = Escitalopram
• F = Fluoxetine / Fluvoxamine
• S = Sertraline
• P = Paroxetine
• C = Citalopram

Side Effects: SSSS

• Stomach upset
• Sexual dysfunction
• Serotonin Syndrome
• Suicidal ideation

Visual Hook (Mental Movie):
A giant serotonin sun rising over a panicked crowd. As the light hits them, they stop panicking but begin sweating profusely (Serotonin Syndrome).

12. Lithium (Bipolar Disorder)

Mnemonic: LITH

• L = Level (Therapeutic range 0.6–1.2)
• I = Increased urination & thirst
• T = Toxic signs (Tremors, diarrhea)
• H = Hydration (Must maintain salt and water balance. Low salt increases toxicity risk.)

13. Benzodiazepines (-lam / -pam)

Mnemonic: BENZO

• B = Beers List (High fall risk in elderly)
• E = Ethanol (Alcohol mixed with benzos can be fatal)
• N = Not for long-term use
• Z = Zzzs (Sedation)
• O = Overdose reversal (Flumazenil)

Use structured prompts from our AI Prompt Library for Nursing Students to convert these mnemonics into active recall drills.

Quick-Fire AI Quiz (Copy/Paste into GoodNurse.com)

I am studying Psych meds. Create a "Memory Palace" story involving a Mercedes Benz (Benzos) driving off a cliff because the driver fell asleep, to help me remember the sedation and safety risks.

Antimicrobial Pharmacology Mnemonics (The Suffix Hack for NCLEX)

Antibiotics are frequently tested on the NCLEX, especially in safety, monitoring, and adverse effect questions. Recognizing suffix patterns allows you to identify drug classes instantly — even if you have never seen the exact medication before.

14. The Antibiotic Family Tree

Penicillins: The "Knights" (-cillin)
Watch for allergies (Angioedema).

Cephalosporins: The "Generals" (Cef- / Ceph-)
If allergic to Penicillin, likely allergic to these (Cross-sensitivity).

Tetracyclines: The "Cyclists" (-cycline)

Mnemonic: STOP

• Sunlight sensitivity
• Take on empty stomach
• Ovoid antacids/dairy
• Pregnant/Children = stained teeth

15. Vancomycin (The Heavy Hitter)

Mnemonic: Red Van

Red Man Syndrome: Flushing caused by infusing too fast.

Action: Slow the "Van" down (Infuse over 60+ minutes).

16. Aminoglycosides (Gentamicin / Tobramycin)

Mnemonic: Mean Old Mice

• Mean: Used for serious infections
• Mice: Visualize a mouse with big ears (Ototoxic — hearing loss) and kidney-shaped ears (Nephrotoxic)

Because ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity require lab monitoring, review
Normal Lab Values for Nursing Students.

17. Fluoroquinolones (-floxacin)

Mnemonic: Fall-oxacin

Fall: Risk of Achilles tendon rupture.

Tip: If the patient complains of heel pain, STOP the drug.

AI Image Prompt for Visualization:
A medieval knight (Penicillin) shaking hands with a general (Cephalosporin), while a cyclist (Tetracycline) rides by shielding his eyes from the sun with "Rotten Teeth" written on his bike.

Gastrointestinal, Endocrine & Renal Pharmacology Mnemonics

These medications frequently appear in prioritization, safety, and dosage calculation questions. Understanding onset, peak, and monitoring requirements is critical for NCLEX success.

18. Insulin Peaks

Mnemonic: Ready, Set, Inject, Love

• Ready (Rapid — Lispro / Aspart): 15-minute onset. Food must be right in front of them.
• Set (Short — Regular): 30–60 minute onset. Only insulin that can be given IV.
• Inject (Intermediate — NPH): Cloudy. Peak 4–12 hours.
• Love (Long — Lantus / Glargine): NO peak. DO NOT mix.

Insulin safety depends on calculation accuracy. Review
Dosage Calculations Made Simple before practicing titration questions.

19. Proton Pump Inhibitors (-prazole)

Mnemonic: PUMP

• P = Proton pump off (Acid reduction)
• U = United (Take whole, do not crush)
• M = Morning (Take before breakfast)
• P = Porous bones (Long-term use increases osteoporosis and fracture risk)

20. Loop Diuretics (Furosemide / Bumetanide)

Mnemonic: OO

LOOp dries up the bOOdy.

Potassium wasting: Everything goes into the potty. Monitor for hypokalemia.

Visual Hook (Mental Movie):
A giant furry creature (Furosemide) screaming “IDE!” while frantically mopping up a flooded bathroom (removing fluid) and accidentally throwing bananas (potassium) into the toilet.

Master Pharmacology Suffix Table (The Quick Cheat Sheet for NCLEX)

If you memorize nothing else, memorize the “End Game.”

Recognizing suffix patterns allows you to instantly identify drug classes, anticipate side effects, and eliminate answer choices on the NCLEX.

AI Memory Palace: The Pharmacology Simulator

You have a supercomputer in your pocket. Use AI as your study partner to convert memorization into active recall.

Copy/Paste for “Active Recall” Mode in GoodNurse

Act as a grumpy NCLEX proctor. I am a nursing student. Quiz me on the 5 rights of medication administration and give me a complex scenario involving a patient prescribed Digoxin and Lasix (Furosemide) simultaneously. Make me identify the specific electrolyte interaction that makes this dangerous.

Copy/Paste for “Story Mode” in GoodNurse

I keep forgetting the side effects of Steroids (Cushing's Syndrome symptoms). Write a funny, slightly exaggerated story about a "Moon-Faced Buffalo" to help me encode the symptoms of water retention, buffalo hump, and hyperglycemia.

Need More NGN Preparation?

Memorizing drugs is step one. Applying them to case studies is step two.

Strengthen clinical judgment with:

• Normal Lab Values for Nursing Students
• Dosage Calculations Made Simple
• NGN Pharmacology Case Study Practice

Endocrine Pharmacology Mnemonics (The Hormone Balancers)

Hormone-based medications are frequently tested for safety, monitoring, and long-term management decisions on the NCLEX.

21. Levothyroxine (Hypothyroidism)

Mnemonic: LEVO

• L = Life-long drug (Patient needs it forever)
• E = Early morning (Empty stomach, 30–60 minutes before food)
• V = Very hyper (Report signs of hyperthyroidism: high HR, sweating)
• O = Oh, the baby is fine (Safe for pregnancy)

Want to test your pharmacology retention?

Try our free diagnostic quiz here: Free NCLEX Practice Questions

22. Metformin (Type 2 Diabetes)

Mnemonic: MET

• M = Minimal hypoglycemia risk (Does not stimulate insulin release)
• E = Eat with food (Reduces GI upset)
• T = Tests with contrast dye? STOP 48 hours before/after (Lactic acidosis risk)

23. Sulfonylureas (Glipizide / Glyburide)

Mnemonic: IDE – DIE

Drugs ending in -ide can cause blood sugar to DIE (Drop excessively).

Warning: High risk of hypoglycemia. Avoid alcohol (Disulfiram-like reaction).

24. Steroids (Corticosteroids -sone)

Mnemonic: The 7 S's of Steroids

• Swollen (Water gain / Moon face)
• Sepsis (Infection risk / Low WBC)
• Sugar (Hyperglycemia — insulin needs increase)
• Skinny muscle (Muscle wasting / Osteoporosis)
• Sight (Cataracts risk)
• Slowly taper (Never stop abruptly — Addisonian crisis)
• Stress (Increase dose during surgery or stress)

25. Desmopressin (Diabetes Insipidus)

Mnemonic: PRESS

• Presses on blood vessels (Vasoconstriction)
• Reduces urine output (Anti-diuretic effect)
• Edema risk (Water intoxication / Hyponatremia)
• Sodium drops (Headache is a warning sign)
• Stop fluids if headache occurs

Pain & Musculoskeletal Pharmacology Mnemonics (The Comfort Meds)

These medications are commonly tested in safety, adverse effect, and contraindication questions.

26. NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Ketorolac)

Mnemonic: NSAIDS

• N = Not good for the whole body (GI bleeds, bronchospasm, kidney clogging)
• S = Sticky blood clots (Except Aspirin, NSAIDs increase clot risk)
• A = Asthma worsening
• I = Increased bleed risk (Bruising / Tarry stool)
• D = Dysfunctional kidneys (Creatinine increases)
• S = Swelling (Sodium retention)

27. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Mnemonic: A-LIVER-minophen

Toxic to the liver.

Antidote: Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst).

28. Opioids (Morphine, Hydromorphone, Oxycodone)

Mnemonic: The 3 L's

• Low heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• Low respiratory rate (Hold if RR < 12)

Bonus: Constipation ("Slows everything down")

29. Aspirin (Salicylate)

Mnemonic: EARS

Toxicity sign = Tinnitus (Ringing in the ears)

Contraindication: Children with viral infection (Reye’s Syndrome)

30. Allopurinol (Gout)

Mnemonic: ALL

• All the uric acid goes away
• Liquids (Drink 2–3L water to flush kidneys)
• Long-term drug (Not for acute attacks — use Colchicine for acute)

31. Muscle Relaxants (Baclofen / Cyclobenzaprine)

Mnemonic: BACK-lofen

Relax the back.

Safety: Causes sedation and weakness. Do not drive or drink alcohol.

Visual Hook (Mental Movie):
Imagine Baclofen as a comfy “Back Loaf” of bread that makes you so relaxed you melt into the couch and cannot drive your car.

Psychotropic Drugs (Part 2)

32. MAOIs (Phenelzine / Selegiline)

Mnemonic: TYR (Tyrant)

• Tyramine foods are forbidden (Aged cheese, wine, cured meats)
• Yikes! Hypertensive crisis risk if tyramine is consumed
• Remember: 2-week washout period before starting other antidepressants

33. Tricyclic Antidepressants (Amitriptyline / Imipramine)

Mnemonic: Amy Trips on Things

• Amytriptyline makes you slow
• Trips: Orthostatic hypotension (Fall risk)
• Things: Anticholinergic effects (Cannot see, pee, spit, or poop)

34. Clozapine (Atypical Antipsychotic)

Mnemonic: Zap the WBCs

Agranulocytosis: It zaps your white blood cells.

Rule: Report sore throat or fever immediately.

35. Trazodone (Antidepressant / Sleep Aid)

Mnemonic: Trance-odone

Used for sleep (Sedation).

Warning: Priapism (Erection lasting >4 hours). If it lasts too long, seek medical care.

Maternal & OB Pharmacology Mnemonics

36. Tocolytics (Stop Contractions)

Mnemonic: It's Not My Time

• I = Indomethacin (NSAID)
• N = Nifedipine (Calcium Channel Blocker)
• M = Magnesium Sulfate
• T = Terbutaline

37. Magnesium Sulfate (Pre-eclampsia / Preterm Labor)

Mnemonic: BURP (Signs of Toxicity)

• Blood pressure decreased
• Urine output decreased (<30 ml/hr)
• Respirations decreased (<12)
• Patellar reflex absent (Deep tendon reflexes disappear)

Antidote: Calcium Gluconate.

Magnesium toxicity is heavily tested on both NCLEX and HESI. Review
The Ultimate Guide to the HESI Exam (A2 & Exit) for exam-specific strategy.

38. Oxytocics (Start Contractions)

Mnemonic: OXY

• Oxytocin (Pitocin)
• X-tra contractions (Watch for hyperstimulation — more than every 2 minutes)
• Yes, stop if FHR decelerations occur (Late decelerations)

Emergency & Critical Care Pharmacology Mnemonics

Emergency medications are heavily tested in high-priority, life-threatening scenarios. These drugs often appear in prioritization and rapid intervention questions.

39. Atropine (Bradycardia)

Mnemonic: A-PINE

Climb the PINE tree to get the heart rate UP.

Side effects: Anticholinergic (Dry mouth, dilated pupils).

40. Adenosine (SVT)

Mnemonic: A-Down-Osine

Push it FAST (IVP < 2 seconds).

Result: Heart rate goes DOWN (Expect a brief asystole / flatline).

41. Epinephrine (Anaphylaxis / Cardiac Arrest)

Mnemonic: EPI

• Edema reduction (Airway)
• Pressure up (Vasoconstrictor)
• Increase heart rate

42. Amiodarone (V-Fib / V-Tach)

Mnemonic: AMY

• Amy is a “cold” girl (Blue-grey skin discoloration)
• Amy has lung issues (Pulmonary toxicity)
• Amy is toxic to the thyroid

Gastrointestinal Pharmacology Mnemonics (The “Plumbing”)

GI medications often appear in safety, electrolyte, and monitoring questions.

43. Antiemetics (Ondansetron)

Mnemonic: I danced on

“I danced on” (Ondansetron) because I didn't vomit.

Risk: Prolonged QT interval (Torsades de Pointes).

44. Laxatives (Lactulose)

Mnemonic: Loose

Lactulose makes the ammonia loose (Lowers ammonia levels in liver failure / hepatic encephalopathy).

45. Metoclopramide (Reglan)

Mnemonic: MET

• Movements (Watch for Tardive Dyskinesia — lip smacking, eye blinking)
• Empty stomach (Gut motility stimulator)

46. Sucralfate (Ulcers)

Mnemonic: Sucral-FATE

Creates a protective plate over the ulcer.

Rule: Take on empty stomach (1 hour before food). Do not take with antacids.

Neurology Pharmacology Mnemonics (Seizures & Parkinson’s)

47. Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Mnemonic: PHENY

• P = Proliferation of gums (Gingival hyperplasia — dental care important)
• H = Hirsutism (Hair growth)
• E = Extremely toxic (Therapeutic range 10–20)
• N = Nystagmus (Eye shaking)
• Y = Yucky blood (Agranulocytosis)

48. Levodopa-Carbidopa (Parkinson’s)

Mnemonic: Leave the Car

Levodopa leaves the dopamine in the brain.

Carbidopa prevents breakdown of Levodopa in the body.

Side effects: Orthostatic hypotension / Red-brown urine or sweat.

The Suffix Hack Cheat Sheet (Drugs 49–66)

Instead of memorizing dozens of individual medications, memorize suffix patterns that represent entire drug classes.

If you're comparing tools for memorizing suffix patterns, see our
Best AI Apps for Nursing Students (Honest Comparison).

Cardiac Suffixes

49. -pril: ACE Inhibitor (Lisinopril) → Lowers BP
50. -sartan: ARB (Losartan) → Lowers BP
51. -olol: Beta Blocker (Atenolol) → Lowers HR & BP
52. -dipine: Calcium Channel Blocker (Amlodipine) → Lowers BP
53. -statin: HMG-CoA Inhibitor (Atorvastatin) → Lowers Cholesterol
54. -ide: Diuretic (Furosemide) → Lowers Fluid
55. -zosin: Alpha Blocker (Prazosin) → BPH / HTN

Psych Suffixes

56. -pam / -lam: Benzodiazepine (Lorazepam) → Anxiety / Sedation
57. -ine: SSRI (Fluoxetine) → Depression
58. -triptyline: TCA (Amitriptyline) → Depression
59. -ridone: Atypical Antipsychotic (Risperidone) → Schizophrenia

Anti-Infective Suffixes

60. -cillin: Penicillin → Antibiotic
61. -ceph / -cef: Cephalosporin (Cefazolin) → Antibiotic
62. -cycline: Tetracycline (Doxycycline) → Antibiotic
63. -mycin: Macrolide / Aminoglycoside → Antibiotic (Watch ears)
64. -floxacin: Fluoroquinolone (Levofloxacin) → Antibiotic (Achilles tendon risk)
65. -azole: Antifungal (Fluconazole) → Fungal infection
66. -vir: Antiviral (Acyclovir) → Herpes / Viral infections

Additional GI & Respiratory Drug Suffixes

67. -prazole

PPI (Omeprazole) → GERD / Ulcers

68. -tidine

H2 Blocker (Ranitidine) → Heartburn

69. -terol

Beta Agonist (Albuterol) → Bronchodilator

70. -sone

Corticosteroid (Prednisone) → Inflammation

Miscellaneous Drug Suffixes (High-Yield Recognition)

71. -afil

Erectile Dysfunction (Sildenafil) → Do not mix with nitrates

72. -caine

Anesthetic (Lidocaine) → Numbing

73. -ase

Thrombolytic (Alteplase) → Clot buster

74. -arin

Anticoagulant (Heparin / Warfarin) → Blood thinner

75. -xaban

Factor Xa Inhibitor (Apixaban) → Blood thinner

76. -dronate

Bisphosphonate (Alendronate) → Osteoporosis

77. -triptan

Antimigraine (Sumatriptan) → Headaches

78. -glitazone

Thiazolidinedione (Pioglitazone) → Type 2 Diabetes

79. -liptin

DPP-4 Inhibitor (Sitagliptin) → Type 2 Diabetes

80. -stigmine

Cholinergic (Neostigmine) → Myasthenia Gravis

Rapid Fire: 20 Must-Know Antidotes (Drugs 81–100)

Knowing the poison is good. Knowing the cure is mandatory.

• Acetaminophen → Acetylcysteine
• Benzodiazepines → Flumazenil
• Opioids → Naloxone (Narcan)
• Heparin → Protamine Sulfate
• Warfarin → Vitamin K (Phytonadione)
• Digoxin → Digibind (Immune Fab)
• Magnesium Sulfate → Calcium Gluconate
• Cholinergics → Atropine
• Beta Blockers → Glucagon
• Calcium Channel Blockers → Glucagon / Calcium
• Insulin (Hypoglycemia) → Glucagon / Dextrose 50%
• Potassium (Hyperkalemia) → Insulin + Dextrose / Kayexalate
• Iron → Deferoxamine
• Lead → Succimer / Calcium EDTA
• Alcohol Withdrawal → Librium (Chlordiazepoxide)
• Anticholinergics → Physostigmine
• Methotrexate → Leucovorin
• Aspirin → Activated Charcoal / Bicarb
• TPA / Thrombolytics → Aminocaproic Acid
• Cyanide → Methylene Blue / Hydroxocobalamin

Conclusion: How to Retain All 100 Pharmacology Mnemonics

You just read 100 memory hooks. You will forget 80% of them by tomorrow unless you use active recall.

Continue Strengthening Your Pharmacology & NGN Strategy

Start with
Free NCLEX Practice Questions
to test your weak areas.

Explore how adaptive systems improve retention in
The Ultimate Guide to AI for NCLEX Preparation and Nursing School.

For full study structure, review the
NCLEX Study Mega Guide.