Printable 7-page pharmacology cheat sheet: common side effects, serious adverse effects and nursing focus for 50+ drug classes. Instant PDF download.

This 7-page printable cheat sheet puts the side effects of more than 50 common drug classes into quick-reference tables, grouped by body system. Each row lists example drugs, common side effects, serious adverse effects to report, and the nursing focus for that class.

What’s included:

Key terms: side effect, adverse drug reaction, allergic reaction, toxicity and boxed warning
Side effect tables by body system:
Cardiovascular: ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, statins, nitrates, digoxin, amiodarone
Anticoagulants and antiplatelets: heparin, LMWH, warfarin, DOACs, aspirin, clopidogrel
Respiratory: SABAs, LABAs, inhaled anticholinergics, inhaled corticosteroids, montelukast
Endocrine: insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists, levothyroxine, corticosteroids
Central nervous system: opioids, NSAIDs, acetaminophen, benzodiazepines, SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs, lithium, antipsychotics, phenytoin
Gastrointestinal: PPIs, H2 blockers, ondansetron, metoclopramide
Anti-infectives: penicillins, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, vancomycin, macrolides, tetracyclines, TMP-SMX, metronidazole
Decision flowchart for responding to a suspected adverse drug reaction
Nursing care for five side effects that cross drug classes, with interventions and rationales: orthostatic hypotension, anticholinergic effects, hypokalemia, QT prolongation and extrapyramidal symptoms
Boxed warnings flagged throughout the tables