Major Cancer Drug Side Effects (Pic-Mnemonic)

Hey guys, I'm a new user but have browsed this forum for a while and it's helped
me alot, so I figured I would try and return the favor. Pretty much I'm more of a logic
guy than a memorization so a subject like Pharm is hell for me. Here is a way that I
find useful in remembering the major S/Es of cancer medication.

Sorry for the cheap pic, but its supposed to represent, from top to bottom, head,
torso, pelvis. Anyways, lets get started, and note that this isnt for every single
cancer drug.

First thing to remember is that most cancer medication causes bone marrow
suppression of some sort since it targets rapidly dividing cells (tumors, bone
marrow, hair, GI, etc...). So if you're not sure, assume that bone marrow suppression
is there. Now onto the pic:

Cisplatin - The red C's stand for Cisplatin. Notice how they sort of look like Ears and
Kidneys, that's because Cisplatin is Ototoxic and Nephrotoxic.

Bleomycin and Busulfan - The 2 B's sort of look like lungs (yes I know the right
lung has 3 lobes but work with me here ). This should remind you that Bleomycin
and Busulfan are famous for causing Pulmonary Fibrosis (while im on the topic,
remember that the CVS drug Amiodarone, which is a Class III drug - K+ channel
blocker, also causes Pulmonary Fibrosis...but that's off topic a bit lol)

Adriamycin (aka Doxorubicin) - In the purplish/pink color we have a picture of a

heart, that sort of looks like an upside down A. Well that A is for Adriamycin, the
drug that famously causes Cardiotoxicity (Dilated Cardiomyopathy).

Cyclophosphamide - In the Pelvic area we only have one drug. No that is not
popcorn, is actually a bunch of C's connected on end in a spherical manner. The C's
and the fact that they are in a cycle is supposed to remind you of Cyclo-
phosphamide, a drug which is associated with Hemorrhagic Cystitis.

Some other helpful tips regarding drug mechanism:

1. If the drug name hasthe name of a Purine or Pyrimidine in it, or even the word
purine itself, its a Purine/Pyrimidine analog (i.e. 5-fluoroURACIL).
2. For mode of action remember that vinBLASTin BLASTS microtubles (inhibit
polymerization) and also that BLASTS are normally found in the Bone Marrow -->
bone marrow toxicity. Vincristine being in the same class has the same mode of
action, just try to remember that it's SE is peripheral neuropathy

3.For drugs like PacliTAXol I just think of TAXIDERMY which is pretty much the art of
taking dead animals and preserving them in a single state. Well Paclitaxol (and the
other taxols) hyperstabalize microtubles, sort of like keeping them stuck in the same
state.

Those are just a few ways I remember some key points from the Cancer
Chemotherapy chapter...hope it helps some of you

SIGNATURE DRUG TOXICITIES

Agranulocytosis Clozapine
Aplastic Anemia Chloramphenicol
NSAIDs
Benzene
Atropine-like Side Effects Tricyclics
Cardiotoxicity Doxorubicin
Daunorubicin
Cartilage Damage in children Fluoroquinolones (Ciprofloxacin & Norfloxacin)
Cinchonism Quinidine
Cough ACE Inhibitors
Diabetes Insipidus Lithium
Disulfiram-like effect Metronidazole
Sulfonylureas (1st generation)
Extrapyramidal Side Effects Antipsychotics (Thioridazine, Haloperidol,
Chlorpromazine)
Fanconi's Syndrome Tetracycline
Fatal Hepatotoxicity (necrosis) Valproic Acid
Halothane
Acetaminophen
Gingical Hyperplasia Phenytoin
Gray Baby Syndrome Chloramphenicol
Gynecomastia Cimetidine
Azoles
Spironolactone
Digitalis
Hemolytic Anemia in G6PD- Sulfonamides
deficiency Isoniazid
Aspirin
Ibuprofen
Primaquine
Hepatitis Isoniazid
Hot Flashes, Flushing Niacin
Tamoxifen
Ca++ Channel Blockers
Induce CP450 Barbiturates
Phenytoin
Carbamazepine
Rifampin
Inhibit CP450 Cimetidine
Ketoconazole
Interstitial Nephritis Methicillin
NSAIDs (except Aspirin)
Furosemide
Sulfonamides
Monday Disease Nitroglycerin Industrial exposure ---->
tolerance during week ----> loss of tolerance
during weekend ----> headache, tach,
dizziness upon re-exposure
Orange Body Fluids Rifampin
Osteoporosis Heparin
Corticosteroids
Positive Coombs' Test Methyldopa
Pulmonary Fibrosis Bleomycin
Amiodarone
Red Man Syndrome Vancomycin
Severe HTN with Tyramine MAOIs
SLE-like Syndrome Procainamide
Hydralazine
Tardive Dyskinesia Antipsychotics (Thioridazine, Haloperidol,
Chlorpromazine)
Tinnitus Aspirin
Quinidine
.