Pharmacology Mnemonics - Flash Cards

Name: Sodium or potassium phosphate

Class: Element

Mechanism:

Absorption: IV

Dist.:

Metabolism.:

Excretion, t½:

Toxicity/S.E.s: Ectopic calcification, kidney failure, death. Serum calcium and phosphate should be monitored to avoid hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia.

Utility: Treat hypophosphatemia.

Special Features: More dangerous than sodium phosphate oral solution.

Name: Sodium phosphate oral solution

Class: Element

Mechanism:

Absorption: Oral

Dist.:

Metabolism.:

Excretion, t½:

Toxicity/S.E.s: Ectopic calcification, kidney failure, death. Serum calcium and phosphate should be monitored to avoid hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia.

Utility: Primarily reserved for patients w/X-linked familial hypophosphatemia or other forms of osteomalacia featuring hypophosphatemia.

Special Features: Safer than IV sodium/potassium phosphate. Sodium-free preparations are available (K-Phos Original, Neutra-Phos K).

Name: Dicalcium phosphate

Class: Element

Mechanism:

Absorption: Oral.

Dist.:

Metabolism.:

Excretion, t½:

Toxicity/S.E.s: Ectopic calcification, kidney failure, death. Serum calcium and phosphate should be monitored to avoid hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia.

Utility: Treat simultaneous hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia.

Special Features: 23% dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate.

Name: Tribasic calcium phosphate

Class: Element

Mechanism:

Absorption: Oral.

Dist.:

Metabolism.:

Excretion, t½:

Toxicity/S.E.s: Ectopic calcification, kidney failure, death. Serum calcium and phosphate should be monitored to avoid hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia.

Utility: Treat simultaneous hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia.

Special Features: 39% tribasic calcium phosphate.

Name: Calcium lactate

Class: Element

Mechanism:

Absorption: Oral usu. ® 15-20% (up to 50% w/maximal stimulation).

Dist.:

Metabolism.:

Excretion, t½:

Toxicity/S.E.s: Hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria. Drug interactions—¯ bioavailability and/or oral absorption of some drugs (e.g., etidronate, tetracyclines, iron salts, atenolol, norfloxacin). Thiazide diuretic-induced hypercalcemias exacerbated by calcium supplementation.

Utility: Treat mild hypocalcemia. Also maintenance after initial IV treatment. Provide 400-800 mg/d. Reduces/prevents bone loss in older women (800 mg/d).

Special Features: 13% calcium. Probably obsolete due to large number of tablets necessary to obtain effect.

Name: Calcium glubionate (Neo-Calglucon)

Class: Element

Mechanism:

Absorption: Oral usu. ® 15-20% (up to 50% w/maximal stimulation).

Dist.:

Metabolism.:

Excretion, t½:

Toxicity/S.E.s: Hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, diarrhea. Drug interactions—¯ bioavailability and/or oral absorption of some drugs (e.g., etidronate, tetracyclines, iron salts, atenolol, norfloxacin). Thiazide diuretic-induced hypercalcemias exacerbated by calcium supplementation.

Utility: Treat mild hypocalcemia. Also maintenance after initial IV treatment. Provide 400-800 mg/d. Reduces/prevents bone loss in older women (800 mg/d).

Special Features: 6.5% calcium. Probably obsolete due to large number of
tablets necessary to obtain effect.

Name: Calcium citrate (Citracal, etc.)

Class: Element

Mechanism:

Absorption: Oral usu. ® 15-20% (up to 50% w/maximal stimulation).

Dist.:

Metabolism.:

Excretion, t½:

Toxicity/S.E.s: Hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria. Drug interactions—¯ bioavailability and/or oral absorption of some drugs (e.g., etidronate, tetracyclines, iron salts, atenolol, norfloxacin). Thiazide diuretic-induced hypercalcemias exacerbated by calcium supplementation.

Utility: Treat mild hypocalcemia. Also maintenance after initial IV treatment. Provide 400-800 mg/d. Reduces/prevents bone loss in older women (800 mg/d).

Special Features: 21% calcium. More soluble than calcium carbonate. Works better in anchlorhydrics.

Name: Calcium carbonate (TUMS, etc.)

Class: Element

Mechanism:

Absorption: Oral usu. ® 15-20% (up to 50% w/maximal stimulation). Depends of stomach acid for solubilization. \ Absorption is impaired in anchlorhydric or fasting patients. Absorption improved when taken w/food.

Dist.:

Metabolism.:

Excretion, t½:

Toxicity/S.E.s: Hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria. Drug interactions—¯ bioavailability and/or oral absorption of some drugs (e.g., etidronate, tetracyclines, iron salts, atenolol, norfloxacin). Thiazide diuretic-induced hypercalcemias exacerbated by calcium supplementation.

Utility: Treat mild hypocalcemia. Also maintenance after initial IV treatment. Provide 400-800 mg/d. Reduces/prevents bone loss in older women (800 mg/d).

Special Features: 40% calcium.

Name: Calcium chloride

Class: Element

Mechanism:

Absorption: IV. Never inject IM (highly irritating).

Dist.:

Metabolism.:

Excretion, t½:

Toxicity/S.E.s: Major = hypercalcemia (esp. during long-term therapy or co-admin. w/vit. D). Hypercalciuria. Enhances action of digitalis. \ IV infusion may ppt arrhythmias. High level of irritation (esp. IM). Drug interactions—¯ bioavailability and/or oral absorption of some drugs (e.g., etidronate, tetracyclines, iron salts, atenolol, norfloxacin). Thiazide diuretic-induced hypercalcemias exacerbated by calcium supplementation.

Utility: Treat hypocalcemia. Reduces/prevents bone loss in older women (800 mg/d).

Special Features: 27% calcium. Probably obsolete due to greater irritation (enteral or parenteral admin.) than other calcium preparations.

Name: Calcium gluceptate

Class: Element

Mechanism:

Absorption: IV (IM if IV is infeasible).

Dist.:

Metabolism.:

Excretion, t½:

Toxicity/S.E.s: Major = hypercalcemia (esp. during long-term therapy or co-admin. w/vit. D). Hypercalciuria. More irritating than calcium gluconate. May cause mild local rxns (e.g., tingling). Metallic taste. Enhances action of digitalis. \ IV infusion may ppt arrhythmias. Drug interactions—¯ bioavailability and/or oral absorption of some drugs (e.g., etidronate, tetracyclines, iron salts, atenolol, norfloxacin). Thiazide diuretic-induced hypercalcemias exacerbated by calcium supplementation.

Utility: Treat hypocalcemia. Reduces/prevents bone loss in older women (800 mg/d).

Name: Calcium gluconate (Kalcinate)

Class: Element

Mechanism:

Absorption: Slow IV infusion.

Dist.:

Metabolism.:

Excretion, t½:

Toxicity/S.E.s: Major = hypercalcemia (esp. during long-term therapy or co-admin. w/vit. D). Hypercalciuria. Rapid infusion may cause cardiac arrhythmias. Enhances action of digitalis. \ IV infusion may ppt arrhythmias. Drug interactions—¯ bioavailability and/or oral absorption of some drugs (e.g., etidronate, tetracyclines, iron salts, atenolol, norfloxacin). Thiazide diuretic-induced hypercalcemias exacerbated by calcium supplementation.

Utility: DOC for severe hypocalcemia. Reduces/prevents bone loss in older women (800 mg/d).

Special Features: 9% calcium.