PHARM K.

22/08/2026

14/08/2026

💊 DRUG OF THE DAY: OMEPRAZOLE
CLASS: Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI)
MAIN USE:
➡️ Reduces stomach acid
➡️ Used in GERD, peptic ulcers & acid-related disorders
🧠 FAST TRACK TIP:
“-PRAZOLE” = PPI
Examples: Omeprazole • Lansoprazole • Pantoprazole
⚡ PHARMK MEMORY HOOK:
PRAZOLE = “PRESS PAUSE” on stomach acid!
This fits core pharmacy-tech/pharmacology revision areas, where drug classes, indications and mechanisms are commonly tested. �
pharmcouncil.co.za +1
NEXT PHARMK → KNOW THE DRUG • KNOW THE CLASS • KNOW THE USE 💊🔥

05/08/2026

PHARM K.

04/08/2026

PHENOBARBITAL 💊
🎯 Drug Class Barbiturate anticonvulsant & sedative-hypnotic
⚙️ Mechanism of Action ✅ Enhances GABA-A receptor activity by prolonging chloride (Cl⁻) channel opening, causing CNS depression.
📌 Indications
Epilepsy (generalized tonic-clonic & focal seizures)
Neonatal seizures
Status epilepticus (alternative option)
Sedation (less common today)
💉 Route
Oral (PO)
Intravenous (IV)
Intramuscular (IM)
⚠️ Common Side Effects
Drowsiness 😴
Dizziness
Ataxia
Cognitive impairment
🚨 Serious Adverse Effects
Respiratory depression
Hypotension
Dependence and withdrawal
Coma in overdose
❌ Contraindications
Severe respiratory disease
Acute porphyria
Severe liver impairment
Hypersensitivity to barbiturates
💊 Important Drug Interactions
Induces CYP450 enzymes → decreases effectiveness of oral contraceptives, warfarin, and corticosteroids.
Increased CNS depression with alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines.

04/08/2026

The tube shown is a lavender (purple) top EDTA Vacutainer. It contains K₂EDTA (dipotassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) or sometimes K₃EDTA as an anticoagulant.
🩸 Hematological tests performed using an EDTA tube
Blood collected in this tube is commonly used for:
✅ Complete Blood Count (CBC/FBC)
✅ Hemoglobin (Hb)
✅ Hematocrit (Packed Cell Volume, PCV)
✅ Total White Blood Cell (WBC) count
✅ Differential WBC count
✅ Platelet count
✅ Red Blood Cell (RBC) count
✅ Red cell indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW)
✅ Peripheral Blood Film (Blood smear)
✅ Reticulocyte count
✅ Hemoglobin electrophoresis (in many laboratories)
✅ ESR (when using the EDTA method, depending on the laboratory protocol)
⭐ Unique characteristics of the EDTA tube
Cap color: 🟣 Lavender/Purple
Anticoagulant: K₂EDTA or K₃EDTA
Mechanism: Chelates (binds) calcium ions, preventing blood clotting.
Preserves cell morphology: Maintains the size and shape of RBCs, WBCs, and platelets, making it the anticoagulant of choice for hematology.
Mixing requirement: Gently invert the tube 8–10 times immediately after collection to ensure proper mixing.
Not suitable for: Coagulation tests (PT, APTT) or calcium-related chemistry tests because EDTA binds calcium and can interfere with results.
💡 PHARMK Fast Track Tip
🟣 Purple = Hematology = EDTA
Memory aid: "EDTA = Every Drop Tests the Blood Cells."
It preserves blood cells while preventing clot formation, making it the gold standard anticoagulant for routine hematological investigations.

04/08/2026

Learn smart and safe lives.😂🥰🥰💋👑🚀

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03/08/2026

Discover the drug for malaria 💋🚀Artesunate injection: Use for treatment of malaria parasites.👑

03/08/2026

Morphine is a strong opioid analgesic used to relieve moderate to severe pain, especially after surgery, major injuries, heart attack pain, and cancer-related pain.
� Mechanism of Action
Binds to μ (mu) opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord.
Blocks pain signal transmission and changes the perception of pain.
� Uses
Severe acute pain
Cancer pain
Post-operative pain
Palliative (end-of-life) care
Pain associated with acute myocardial infarction (heart attack)
� Dosage Forms
Injection (IV, IM, SC)
Immediate-release tablets
Extended-release tablets
Oral solution
� Common Side Effects
Drowsiness
Nausea and vomiting
Constipation
Dizziness
Respiratory depression (serious)
� Contraindications
Severe respiratory depression
Acute severe bronchial asthma (without monitoring)
Paralytic ileus
Hypersensitivity to morphine

03/08/2026

🩸 Hemoglobin (Hb) and ESR are two common blood tests, but they measure very different things. Hemoglobin reflects the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity and helps diagnose anemia, while ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) is a nonspecific marker of inflammation that may increase in infections, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammatory conditions.

For Educational Purposes Only.

03/08/2026

What's the antidotes for heparin?
Explanation in comments box?