Quick disclaimer
- Short, evidence-based summary — for clinical decisions always consult full guidelines or your supervising clinician.
1) Autoimmune / Rheumatologic
- Core classes: NSAIDs, systemic corticosteroids, conventional DMARDs (methotrexate, sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide), biologic DMARDs (anti-TNF: infliximab/etanercept/adalimumab; anti-IL-6: tocilizumab; anti-CD20: rituximab), targeted synthetic DMARDs (JAK inhibitors: tofacitinib, baricitinib).
- Mechanism (brief): anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs/steroids), immunomodulation (DMARDs reduce immune activation or specific cytokine pathways).
- Main uses: rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, SLE (selected agents), IBD (some biologics).
- Key safety/monitoring: baseline CBC/LFTs (methotrexate, leflunomide), TB/hepatitis screen before many biologics, infection risk, pregnancy counseling (many agents teratogenic).
2) Cardiovascular
- Core classes: ACE inhibitors (enalapril, lisinopril), ARBs (losartan), beta-blockers (metoprolol), calcium channel blockers (amlodipine), diuretics (thiazides, loop), statins (atorvastatin), antiplatelets (aspirin, clopidogrel), anticoagulants (warfarin, DOACs: apixaban, rivaroxaban).
- Mechanism: reduce BP, block RAAS, lower cholesterol, inhibit clot formation.
- Uses: hypertension, heart failure, ACS/MI secondary prevention, AF stroke prevention, hyperlipidemia.
- Big safety/monitoring: renal function & K+ (ACEi/ARBs), heart rate and bronchospasm risk (beta-blockers), LFTs and CK (statins if myalgia), INR or DOAC dosing per renal function. Follow guideline algorithms for initial choices and combinations.
3) Dermatological (systemic/topical)
- Core classes: topical steroids, systemic corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus), retinoids (isotretinoin), immunosuppressants (azathioprine, methotrexate), biologics for psoriasis (anti-TNF, anti-IL-17/23: secukinumab, ustekinumab).
- Uses: eczema, psoriasis, severe acne, autoimmune dermatoses.
- Safety: topical potency & atrophy with steroids; isotretinoin teratogenic; monitor LFTs/CBC with systemic immunosuppressants/retinoids.
4) Endocrine / Metabolic
- Core classes: insulin (rapid/long-acting), oral hypoglycemics (metformin, sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists), thyroid hormones (levothyroxine), antithyroid drugs (methimazole, propylthiouracil), corticosteroids (for adrenal insufficiency/hormone therapy).
- Uses: diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, adrenal disorders.
- Key notes: monitor glucose, renal function (SGLT2s), risk of hypoglycemia (sulfonylureas/insulin), weight effects (GLP-1 weight loss; insulin/ sulfonylureas weight gain).
5) Gastrointestinal
- Core classes: PPIs (omeprazole), H2 blockers (ranitidine historically), prokinetics (metoclopramide), antacids, 5-ASA (mesalazine) for IBD, immunomodulators/biologics for IBD (infliximab), laxatives, antidiarrheals (loperamide).
- Safety/monitoring: long-term PPI risks (B12, Mg), check for infections if immunosuppressing IBD patients.
6) Genitourinary
- Core classes: alpha-blockers (tamsulosin) for BPH, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (finasteride), antimuscarinics/β3 agonists for overactive bladder (oxybutynin, mirabegron), antibiotics for UTIs (nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim).
- Notes: renal dosing adjustments; counsel sexual side effects for some agents (finasteride).
7) Hematological
- Core classes: anticoagulants (heparin, warfarin, DOACs), antiplatelets, iron preparations, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, colony stimulating factors (G-CSF), chemotherapy agents (for hematologic malignancies).
- Monitoring: CBC, coagulation panels, renal/hepatic function; warfarin requires INR monitoring.
8) Infectious Diseases (antimicrobials & antivirals)
- Core classes: beta-lactams (penicillins, cephalosporins), macrolides, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, glycopeptides (vancomycin), antifungals (azoles, amphotericin), antivirals (acyclovir, oseltamivir, antiretrovirals for HIV).
- Antibiotic stewardship: use AWaRe classification (Access/Watch/Reserve) to guide stewardship and limit resistance — reserve broad-spectrum/last-line agents for core indications.
9) Mental Health / Psychiatry
- Core classes: antidepressants (SSRIs: fluoxetine/escitalopram; SNRIs: venlafaxine), antipsychotics (risperidone, olanzapine, clozapine for refractory psychosis), mood stabilizers (lithium, valproate), anxiolytics (benzodiazepines short-term), stimulants for ADHD (methylphenidate).
- Monitoring/safety: metabolic monitoring with many antipsychotics (weight, lipids, glucose); lithium levels and renal/thyroid tests; suicide risk with antidepressants in young people — follow guideline monitoring.
10) Musculoskeletal
- Core classes: analgesics (paracetamol, NSAIDs), skeletal muscle relaxants (baclofen), disease-modifying drugs for rheum conditions (see autoimmune).
- Notes: NSAID GI/renal risks, use gastroprotection where needed; avoid chronic NSAIDs if renal impairment.
11) Neurological
- Core classes: antiepileptics (phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproate, levetiracetam), anti-Parkinson agents (levodopa/carbidopa, dopamine agonists), migraine meds (triptans), drugs for Alzheimer’s (cholinesterase inhibitors: donepezil).
- Monitoring: drug interactions and teratogenicity (valproate); serum levels for some (phenytoin).
12) Oncology (anticancer)
- Core types: cytotoxic chemotherapy (alkylating agents, antimetabolites, taxanes), targeted therapies (TKIs, monoclonal antibodies), immunotherapy (checkpoint inhibitors), hormonal therapies (tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors).
- Safety: cytopenias, nausea, organ toxicities — regimens guided by NCCN/oncology protocols; dosing/scheduling critical.
13) Ophthalmic
- Core classes: topical antibiotics (moxifloxacin), topical corticosteroids, glaucoma drugs (prostaglandin analogs: latanoprost, beta-blocker drops), anti-VEGF intravitreal agents (bevacizumab/ranibizumab).
- Notes: topical absorption can have systemic effects (e.g., beta-blocker eye drops).
14) Renal
- Core principles: many drugs require renal dose adjustment (aminoglycosides, vancomycin, DOACs, metformin in some cases). Monitor renal function and avoid nephrotoxins (NSAIDs, aminoglycosides) in AKI.
15) Respiratory
- Core classes: bronchodilators (SABA: salbutamol; LABA: formoterol), inhaled corticosteroids, anticholinergics (ipratropium, tiotropium), leukotriene modifiers (montelukast), systemic steroids for exacerbations, antibiotics for secondary infections.
- Notes: inhaler technique and spacer use are often more important than drug choice for outcomes.
16) Analgesics (summary)
- Non-opioid: paracetamol, NSAIDs — first line for mild pain.
- Weak opioids: tramadol, codeine (for moderate).
- Strong opioids: morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl (for severe/cancer pain).
- Approach: WHO analgesic ladder for cancer pain; multimodal analgesia preferred to minimize opioid exposure.
17) Drugs of abuse (overview)
- Common groups: opioids (heroin, prescription opioids), stimulants (cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine), cannabis, benzodiazepines, hallucinogens.
- Clinical relevance: tolerance, dependence, overdose risks (opioid respiratory depression) — treat overdoses with naloxone (opioids), benzodiazepine support for stimulant agitation, and provide harm-reduction and referral to addiction services.
Sources I used (key guideline references)
- ACR / EULAR treatment guidance for rheumatic autoimmune disease.
- ESC hypertension/cardiovascular guidelines.
- WHO AWaRe antibiotic classification / WHO essential medicines.
- APA / psychiatry guideline summaries.
- NCCN oncology guideline resources.
- WHO / StatPearls and BNF summaries for analgesic ladder and pain management.
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