Ace Your First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 (2023) Classes and Exams with Picmonic: #1 Visual Mnemonic Study Tool for Medicine (MD/DO) Students
With Picmonic, facts become pictures. We've taken what the science shows - image mnemonics work - but we've boosted the effectiveness by building and associating memorable characters, interesting audio stories, and built-in quizzing. Whether you're studying for your classes or getting ready for a big exam, we're here to help.
First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 (2023) | Medicine (MD/DO) School Study Aid
Clozapine (Clozaril)
- Mechanism
- Atypical Antipsychotic
- Indications
- Schizophrenia
- Levodopa-Induced Psychosis
- Side Effects
- Weight Gain
- Hypersalivation (Sialorrhea)
- Myocarditis
- Agranulocytosis
- Sedation
- Orthostatic Hypotension
- Constipation (Risk of Bowel Ileus)
- Considerations
- Weekly Lab Tests
2 mins
Carbamazepine
- Indications
- First-line Seizure Medication
- First Line for Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Mechanism of Action
- Stabilizes Inactive State of Na+ Channels
- Side Effects
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
- Induce Cytochrome P450
- Teratogen
- Hepatotoxicity
- Blood Dyscrasias
2 mins
Propylthiouracil (PTU) and Methimazole (MMI)
- Indications
- Hyperthyroidism
- Mechanism
- Inhibits Thyroid Peroxidase
- PTU Blocks Peripheral Conversion of T4 to T3
- Side Effects
- Agranulocytosis
- Skin Rash
- Hepatotoxicity (PTU)
- Teratogen (MMI)
1 min
Ticlopidine (Ticlid)
- Mechanism
- ADP Receptor Antagonist
- Irreversibly Inhibits Platelet Aggregation
- Indications
- Thrombotic Event Prevention
- Side Effects
- Neutropenia
- Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP)
- GI Distress
- Rash
- Considerations
- Withhold Before Surgery
- Monitor Blood Count
2 mins
Ganciclovir
- Indications
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Immunocompromised
- Mechanism
- Guanosine Analog
- Disrupts DNA Synthesis
- Inhibits Viral DNA Polymerase
- Side Effects
- Hematologic Effects
- Nephrotoxicity
1 min
NSAIDs
- Indications
- Anti-inflammatory
- Analgesic
- Fever
- Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus
- Mechanism of Action
- Reversible Inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2
- Block Prostaglandin Synthesis
- Side Effects
- Interstitial Nephritis
- Gastric Ulcer
- Renal Ischemia
1 min
Chloramphenicol
- Mechanism
- Bacteriostatic
- Inhibits 50S Peptidyltransferase Activity
- Indications
- Meningitis
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Pregnant Women
- Side Effects
- Anemia
- Aplastic Anemia
- Gray Baby Syndrome due to Decreased UDP-Glucuronyl Transferase
- Resistance Caused by Plasmid Encoded Acetyltransferase
2 mins
Normocytic Hemolytic Anemia Causes
- Intrinsic Hemolytic
- Hereditary Spherocytosis
- RBC Enzyme Deficiency
- Hemoglobin C Defect
- Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH)
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Extrinsic Hemolytic
- Autoimmune
- Microangiopathic
- Mechanical Destruction
- Prosthetic Cardiac Valves
- Infection
- Snake Venom
2 mins
Penicillin
- Gram Positive
- Spirochetes
- Bind PBPs
- Block Transpeptidase Cross-linking of Cell Wall
- Activate Autolytic Enzymes
- Bactericidal
- Hypersensitivity Reactions
- Hemolytic Anemia
- Beta-lactamase Sensitive
2 mins
Cephalosporins Overview
- Mechanism of Action
- Beta lactam drug
- Inhibits cell wall synthesis
- Bactericidal
- Side Effects
- Hypersensitivity reactions
- Vitamin K Deficiency
- Disulfiram like reaction with Alcohol
- Increased Nephrotoxicity of Aminoglycosides
1 min
Phenytoin
- Indications
- Status Epilepticus
- Tonic-Clonic Seizures
- Mechanism of Action
- Blocks Na+ Channel Activation
- Inhibition of Glutamate Release
- Class IB Antiarrhythmic
- Side Effects
- Teratogenic
- Macrocytic Megaloblastic Anemia
- Induce Cytochrome P450
- Drug-induced Lupus
- Neuropathy
- Hirsutism
- Gingival Hyperplasia
1 min
Vancomycin Side Effects & Toxicity
- Side Effects
- Thrombophlebitis
- Nephrotoxicity
- Ototoxicity
- Diffuse Flushing Called Red Man Syndrome
- Prevent with Antihistamine
- Prevent with Slow Infusion
2 mins
G6PD Deficiency
- X-linked Recessive
- Hemolytic Anemia
- Inflammatory Response
- Fava Beans
- Sulfonamides
- Primaquine
- Anti TB Drugs
- Heinz Bodies
- Bite Cells
- Prevalent Among African Americans due to Increased Malarial Resistance
2 mins
Isoniazid
- Indications
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Mechanism of Action
- Requires Catalase Peroxidase
- Decreases Mycolic Acid Synthesis
- Fast vs Slow Acetylators
- Side Effects
- B6 Deficiency
- Neurotoxicity
- Hepatotoxicity
- Drug-induced Lupus
1 min
Sulfonamides Side Effects
- Side Effects
- Hypersensitivity
- Nephrotoxicity
- Photosensitivity
- Kernicterus in Infants
- Displaces Warfarin from Albumin
- Considerations
- Hemolysis with G6PD Deficiency
3 mins
Aspirin
- Indications
- Fever
- Pain and Headache
- Cardiovascular Disease (CAD)
- Mechanism of Action
- Irreversible inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2
- Suppress Thromboxanes and Prostaglandins
- NSAID
- Side Effects
- Reye's Syndrome
- Tinnitus
- Peptic Ulceration
- Mixed Acidosis/Alkalosis
- Nephropathy
2 mins
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- Mechanisms
- NSAID
- COX Inhibitor
- Indications
- General Pain
- Fever
- Inflammatory Conditions
- Side Effects
- GI Ulcers
- Nephrotoxicity
- Rash
- Considerations
- Avoid with Alcohol
- Risk of Thrombotic Event
2 mins
Hydroxyurea
- Mechanism
- Inhibits Ribonucleotide Reductase
- Decreased DNA Synthesis
- S-phase Specific
- Indications
- Melanoma
- Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Through Increased HbF (Fetal Hemoglobin)
- Side Effects
- Myelosuppression
- GI Distress
2 mins
Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT)
- Pathophysiology
- 5-10 Days After Heparin Exposure
- Heparin-Platelet Factor 4 Complex
- Autoantibodies Form Against Complex
- Heparin-Platelet Factor 4-Antibody Complex Binds Platelets
- Platelet Aggregation
- Procoagulant Release
- Symptoms
- Thrombocytopenia
- Diagnosis
- Serotonin Release Assay (SRA)
- Treatment
- Stop Heparin, Start Direct Thrombin Inhibitor
2 mins
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Mechanism, Treatment and Complications
- Mechanism and Characteristics
- Systemic Autoimmune Disease
- 9:1 female to male ratio
- Treatment
- Glucocorticoids
- NSAIDS
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Cyclophosphamide
- Complications
- Lupus nephritis
- Libman-Sacks Endocarditis
- Secondary Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome
- Other
- Drug-induced lupus
2 mins
Protease Inhibitors
- End in "-navir"
- Indications
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis C
- Mechanism
- Inhibit Protease
- Unable to Cleave Proteins
- Inhibits Maturation of New Virus
- Side Effects
- GI Distress
- Nephropathy
- Lipodystrophy
- Hyperglycemia
3 mins
Prednisone (Glucocorticoids)
- Mechanism
- Glucocorticoid
- Indications
- Inflammatory Conditions
- Organ Transplant Rejection
- Side Effects
- Cataracts and Glaucoma
- Cushing's Syndrome
- Osteoporosis
- Immunosuppression
- Hyperglycemia
- Ulcers
- Considerations
- Adrenal Insufficiency
- Taper Gradually
2 mins
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune) Overview
- Mechanism
- Immunosuppressant
- Inhibits Calcineurin, Decreasing IL-2
- Indications
- Prevent Transplant Rejection
- Psoriasis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Considerations
- Monitor Plasma Levels
- Avoid Grapefruit Juice
- Increased Risk of Lymphoma
2 mins
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune) Side Effects
- Side Effects
- Nephrotoxicity
- Hepatotoxicity
- Infection
- Hypertension
- Hirsutism
- Tremor
- Hyperkalemia
- Hypomagnesemia
- Gingival Hyperplasia
1 min
Calcium Channel Blockers (Verapamil and Diltiazem)
- Mechanism of Action
- Slows AV Conduction
- Indications
- Angina Pectoris
- Arrhythmias
- Essential Hypertension
- Side Effects
- Bradycardia
- Hypotension
- Constipation
- Peripheral Edema
- Gingival Hyperplasia
- Nursing Consideration
- Medication Education
2 mins
Gout Disease
- Acute Inflammatory Monoarthritis
- Epidemiology
- Primarily in Males
- Pathophysiology
- Precipitation of Monosodium Urate Crystals
- Underexcretion of Uric Acid
- Overproduction of Uric Acid
- Negatively Birefringent, Needle-Shaped
- Symptoms
- Swollen, Red, Painful Joint
- Asymmetric Joint Distribution
- Podagra
- Tophus
- After Large Meal or Alcohol
2 mins
Loop Diuretics
- Mechanism of Action
- Thick Ascending Limb of Loop of Henle
- Inhibits Na+-K+-2Cl- Symporter
- Sulfa Drug
- Drug Names
- Furosemide
- Lasix
- Side Effects
- Gout
- Ototoxicity
- Hypocalcemia
- Hypokalemia
4 mins
Statins
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Hepatotoxicity
- HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
- Decrease LDL
- Decrease Triglycerides
- Increase HDL
2 mins
Osteoporosis Assessment
- Highest Risk
- Postmenopausal Women
- Long Term Corticosteroids
- Assessment
- Kyphosis
- Dowager's Hump
- Loss of Height
- Back Pain
- Pathologic Fractures
- Spinal Compression Fracture
1 min
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
- Etiologies
- Drugs
- Symptoms
- < 10% of Body Surface Area (BSA) Involved
- 10-30% BSA Overlaps with Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)
- Fever
- Affects Skin and Mucous Membranes
- Bullae Formation
- Necrosis
- Sloughing of Skin
- High Mortality Rate
- Treatment
- Supportive Care
- IVIG (Intravenous Immunoglobulin)
3 mins
Lamotrigine
- Indications
- Seizure Treatment
- Bipolar Disorder
- Mechanism of Action
- Blocks Voltage-Gated Na+ Channels
- Side Effect
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
1 min
Tetracycline Toxicities
- Inhibition of Bone Growth in Children
- Teratogen
- Discoloration of Teeth
- Photosensitivity
- GI Distress
2 mins
Fluoroquinolones Toxicities
- Diarrhea
- Skin Rash
- Headache
- Tendon Rupture in Adults
- Myalgias in Kids
- Damage to Cartilage
- Teratogen
- QT Prolongation
1 min
Ace Your Medicine (MD/DO) Classes & Exams with Picmonic:
Over 1,990,000 students use Picmonic’s picture mnemonics to improve knowledge, retention, and exam performance.
Choose the #1 Medicine (MD/DO) student study app.
Picmonic for Medicine (MD/DO) covers information that is relevant to your entire Medicine (MD/DO) education. Whether you’re studying for your classes or getting ready to conquer the USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK, COMLEX Level 1, or COMLEX Level 2, we’re here to help.
Works better than traditional Medicine (MD/DO) flashcards.
Research shows that students who use Picmonic see a 331% improvement in memory retention and a 50% improvement in test scores.