Pharmacology Mnemonics - Flash Cards

Name: Liothyronine sodium (Cytomel)

Class: Thyroid Hormone

Mechanism: Sodium salt of T₃. T₃/T₄ synergize w/GH effects, increase BMR, potentiate catecholamine effects on heart, promote lipolysis, and decrease serum cholesterol.

Absorption: Oral ® 95% absorption.

Dist.: Poor placental transfer ® okay for pregnant E. Little in milk (use cautiously).

Metabolism.: Hepatic conjug. w/glucuronic & sulfuric acids.

Excretion, t½: Bile; some lost in stool due to enterohepatic circ. £ 2 d.

Toxicity/S.E.s: Salicylates and dicumarol compete for albumin binding sites ® marked increase of free levels.

Utility: Preferred in treatment of myxedema coma. Treat hypothyroidism and goiter (not due to iodine deficiency or hyperthyroidism).

Special Features: 50-75 mg/d. 4x the potency of levothyroxine sodium, but same efficacy.

Name: Levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid, Levothroid, Levoxine)

Class: Thyroid Hormone

Mechanism: Sodium salt of T₄. T₃/T₄ synergize w/GH effects, increase BMR, potentiate catecholamine effects on heart, promote lipolysis, and decrease serum cholesterol.

Absorption: Incomplete oral absorption—30-40% recovered in stool.

Dist.: Poor placental transfer ® okay for pregnant E. Little in milk (use cautiously).

Metabolism.: Hepatic conjug. w/glucuronic & sulfuric acids. Peripheral deiodination to T₃.

Excretion, t½: Bile; some lost in stool due to enterohepatic circ. 6-7 d.

Toxicity/S.E.s: Salicylates and dicumarol compete for albumin binding sites ® marked increase of free levels.

Utility: Treat hypothyroidism and goiter (not due to iodine deficiency or hyperthyroidism).

Special Features: 200-300 mg/d. 1/4 the potency of liothyronine sodium, but same efficacy.

Name: Thyroglobulin (Proloid)

Class: Thyroid Hormone

Mechanism: T₃/T₄ synergize w/GH effects, increase BMR, potentiate catecholamine effects on heart, promote lipolysis, and decrease serum cholesterol.

Absorption: Oral

Dist.: Poor placental transfer ® okay for pregnant E. Little in milk (use cautiously).

Metabolism.: T₄ & T₃ released by proteolysis after ingestion. Hepatic conjug. of T₄/T₃ w/glucuronic & sulfuric acids.

Excretion, t½: Bile; some lost in stool due to enterohepatic circulation.

Toxicity/S.E.s: Salicylates and dicumarol compete for albumin binding sites ® marked increase of free levels.

Utility: Treat hypothyroidism and goiter (not due to iodine deficiency or hyperthyroidism).