Pharmacology Cheat Sheet
Renal Flow, Clot and Cell Production
Renal and haematology pharmacology for NEET-PG: diuretic calcium effects, anticoagulant monitoring, DOAC reversal agents, and thrombolytic facts.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Renal Flow, Clot and Cell Production
Renal and haematology pharmacology for NEET-PG: diuretic calcium effects, anticoagulant monitoring, DOAC reversal agents, and thrombolytic facts.
Renal, blood, and haematological pharmacology covering diuretics, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, thrombolytics, and haematopoietic agents.
High-yield lines
- Thiazides increase calcium retention, the opposite of loop diuretics, which is the single most tested electrolyte distinction.
- Spironolactone is the diuretic of choice in cirrhotic ascites because cirrhosis causes secondary hyperaldosteronism.
- Heparin is monitored by aPTT, warfarin by INR, and low-molecular-weight heparin by anti-Xa activity.
- Warfarin inhibits vitamin K epoxide reductase and remains the drug of choice for mechanical heart valves and antiphospholipid syndrome.
- Protamine sulfate fully reverses unfractionated heparin but only partially reverses low-molecular-weight heparin.
- Idarucizumab reverses dabigatran, and andexanet alfa reverses the factor Xa inhibitors rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban.
- Direct oral anticoagulants are contraindicated with mechanical heart valves and in triple-positive antiphospholipid syndrome.
- Dual antiplatelet therapy of aspirin plus a P2Y12 inhibitor is standard after coronary stenting, with ticagrelor showing a mortality benefit over clopidogrel.
- Streptokinase is antigenic and cannot be repeated between about 5 days and 6 to 12 months, but it is the cheapest thrombolytic.
- Tranexamic acid given within 3 hours of trauma reduces mortality, while use after 3 hours may cause harm.
- Furosemide increases venous capacitance within minutes of IV administration, relieving acute pulmonary oedema before diuresis begins.
- Desmopressin is V2-selective causing water retention without vasoconstriction, unlike V1-acting vasopressin and terlipressin.
- Parenteral iron corrects iron stores faster than oral iron but does not raise haemoglobin any faster.
- G-CSF is started 24 to 72 hours after chemotherapy, not during, because early use worsens myelotoxicity.
Mapped competency codes
- PH1.24
- PH1.25
- PH1.35
Continue into the full chapter
This summary maps to PH7-renal-blood-and-haematological-pharmacology.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do thiazide and loop diuretics differ in their effect on calcium?
Thiazides increase calcium retention, whereas loop diuretics increase calcium excretion; this is a heavily tested distinction.
What monitors heparin, warfarin, and LMWH?
aPTT monitors heparin, INR monitors warfarin, and anti-Xa activity monitors low-molecular-weight heparin.
What reverses dabigatran and the factor Xa inhibitors?
Idarucizumab reverses dabigatran; andexanet alfa reverses rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban.
Which diuretic is preferred in cirrhotic ascites?
Spironolactone, because cirrhosis produces secondary hyperaldosteronism that it directly antagonises.
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