Southampton Student Formulary · the Top 40

The formulary

The drugs FY1s actually prescribe most — the highest-yield set for the PSA and the wards. Tap the dots to track what you know.0/40 rated

Cardiovascular

9 drugs

Aspirin (low-dose)Antiplatelet

Secondary prevention; 75 mg OD. Avoid in active bleeding.

AtenololBeta-blocker

Caution in asthma; do not stop abruptly.

BendroflumethiazideThiazide diuretic

Monitor U&E — hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia.

ClopidogrelAntiplatelet

DigoxinCardiac glycoside

Narrow therapeutic index; toxicity worse with hypokalaemia. Monitor levels.

FurosemideLoop diuretic

Monitor U&E and renal function.

RamiprilACE inhibitor

Check U&E/creatinine after starting; cough, hyperkalaemia, avoid in pregnancy.

SimvastatinStatin

Night dosing; myopathy, interactions (macrolides).

LMW heparinsAnticoagulant

Weight/renal-adjusted; VTE prophylaxis & treatment.

Respiratory

2 drugs

SalbutamolSABA

Reliever; check inhaler technique.

SalmeterolLABA

Never as monotherapy in asthma — with an inhaled steroid.

Gastrointestinal

8 drugs

OmeprazoleProton pump inhibitor

GavisconCompound alginate antacid

LactuloseOsmotic laxative

MovicolOsmotic laxative

SennaStimulant laxative

MetoclopramideAntiemetic (dopamine antagonist)

Avoid in young/Parkinson’s — extrapyramidal effects.

CyclizineAntiemetic (antihistamine)

Ferrous sulphateIron supplement

Infection

8 drugs

AmoxicillinBroad-spectrum penicillin

Co-amoxiclavBroad-spectrum penicillin + β-lactamase inhibitor

FlucloxacillinPenicillinase-resistant penicillin

Staph/skin infections.

BenzylpenicillinPenicillin (IV)

CefotaximeCephalosporin

CiprofloxacinQuinolone

Tendon rupture, QT, lowers seizure threshold.

MetronidazoleAntimicrobial (anaerobes/protozoa)

Avoid alcohol — disulfiram reaction.

VancomycinGlycopeptide

Monitor levels; red-man syndrome if infused fast.

Endocrine

6 drugs

InsulinInsulin

Never abbreviate "units". High-alert drug — see Six Steps to Insulin Safety.

MetforminBiguanide

Withhold in AKI/contrast; GI side-effects.

GliclazideSulfonylurea

Hypoglycaemia risk.

LevothyroxineThyroid hormone

Titrate to TSH.

PrednisoloneGlucocorticoid

Do not stop abruptly if long-term; sick-day rules.

Calcium / Vitamin DCalcium + vitamin D supplement

CNS & analgesia

7 drugs

ParacetamolSimple analgesic

Reduce dose if <50 kg or hepatic risk.

IbuprofenNSAID

GI/renal/cardiac cautions; avoid in AKI, PUD.

CodeineWeak opioid

MorphineStrong opioid

Prescribe an antiemetic + laxative; reduce in renal impairment.

CitalopramSSRI

QT prolongation at higher doses.

HaloperidolTypical antipsychotic

Extrapyramidal effects, QT.

TemazepamBenzodiazepine

Short-term only; dependence.