Antidote Memory Tricks: Drug List and Chart for NCLEX
List of common drug antidotes used in pharmacology, toxicology, and poisoning. Includes charts and memory tricks for nursing, NCLEX, USMLE, and more!
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Common Drug Antidotes
Are you looking for a quick and easy way to remember common antidotes for various drugs, medications, and agents?
You’ve come to the right spot!
In this lecture, we will list the most common drug antidotes along with memory tricks to remember them all!
These antidotes commonly appear on various nursing and medical board exams, so having a simple method to remember them is helpful.
Let’s get right into it!
Antidote Meaning
What are antidotes?
An antidote is a remedy or medication given to counteract the effects of poison, toxicity, or overdose.
You can break up the word to remember the definition.
The prefix “anti-” means “against”.
The word “dote” generally means “to give”.
Therefore, antidote means “to give against”.
Drug Antidote List and Chart
Let’s walk through common antidotes and their memory tricks below!
**Scroll to the bottom to view the charts!
**A quick reminder to follow institutional protocols and involve poison control centers and/or toxicology clinics to assist with care when necessary.
Acetaminophen
Drug: Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Antidote: N-Acetylcysteine
Memory Trick: Both Acetaminophen and Acetylcysteine start with “A-C-E”
Study Tips and Notes: Acetaminophen is available under the brand name Tylenol. Other over the counter and prescription medications may contain acetaminophen as well.
Bonus Trick: Look at the next 3 letters in Acetylcysteine after the “A-C-E”. You will see they are “T-Y-L”. This will also help you remember Tylenol!
Opioids
Drug: Opioids (Narcotics)
Antidote: Naloxone
Memory Trick: Use the “N-A” to remember Narcotics and Naloxone
Study Tips and Notes: Opioids are medications prescribed to treat severe pain. You may also hear opioids informally referred to as narcotics. One common brand name for naloxone is Narcan, which you can use as a trick as well. See below!
Bonus Trick: Use the “N-A-R-C” to remember Narcotics and Narcan
Bonus Trick: You can also use the long “O” in Naloxone to remember Opioids
Beta Blockers
Drug: Beta Blockers
Antidote: Glucagon
Memory Trick: Think of “BB Gun”. The “BB” stands for Beta Blockers and the “Gun” will help you remember Glucagon
Study Tips and Notes: Beta blockers are a class of medications commonly used to treat hypertension, arrhythmias, heart failure, among other indications. Glucagon is commonly tested as the antidote for beta blockers, but there are other treatment options as well. This may include atropine, high-dose insulin with glucose, calcium, fluids, vasopressors, and ECMO to name a few.
Ethylene Glycol and Methanol
Drug: Ethylene Glycol and Methanol
Antidote: Fomepizole
Memory Trick: Ethylene Glycol, Methanol, and Fomepizole all rhyme and contain “O-L”
Study Tips and Notes: Board exams often use antifreeze or car wash fluids as the source of ethylene glycol. So when you see antifreeze, car wash fluids, de-icing products, or vehicle brake fluids in a question stem, then think potentially ethylene glycol involvement. Methanol toxicity can cause ocular symptoms. When an exam asks a question about methanol toxicity, there is usually ocular symptoms described such as blurry vision, decreased visual acuity, photophobia, or “halo vision”.
Benzodiazepines
Drug: Benzodiazepines
Antidote: Flumazenil
Memory Trick: Think “Ben got the Flu” (Benzodiazepine & Flumazenil)
Study Tips and Notes: Benzodiazepines are a class of medications used to treat anxiety, seizures, alcohol withdrawal, among other indications.
Caution: It can be easy to confuse fomepizole and flumazenil since they both start with “F” and contain several similar letters, so hopefully the tricks above will help you remember them.
Bonus Trick: Benzodiazepine and Flumazenil both contain “A-Z-E”
Digoxin
Drug: Digoxin
Antidote: Digoxin Immune Fab
Memory Trick: Use the “D-I-G” to remember Digoxin and Digoxin Immune Fab, DigiFab, or Digibind
Study Tips and Notes: Digoxin is a medication used to treat heart failure, arrhythmias, among other indications. You may know Digoxin Immune Fab by the brand names DigiFab or Digibind. Digoxin toxicity can also cause ocular symptoms that are commonly tested on nursing and board exams. The ocular symptoms with digoxin toxicity are often described as “yellow-green halos” or discoloration.
Iron
Agent: Iron
Antidote: Deferoxamine
Memory Trick: Use the symbol for Iron on the periodic table, which is “Fe”, to remember Deferoxamine
Study Tips and Notes: Iron toxicity is often caused by iron supplements or multivitamins, which can look like candy to children.
Copper
Agent: Copper
Antidote: Penicillamine
Memory Trick: Think of a “Copper Penny” which will help you remember Penicillamine
Study Tips and Notes: Penicillamine can also be used to treat Wilson’s Disease, which is too much copper in the body. Medical exams like to test on Kayser-Fleischer rings, which are greenish-gold-brown rings around the corneas seen in Wilson’s Disease.
Heparin
Drug: Heparin
Antidote: Protamine Sulfate
Memory Trick: Think of “Protamine” and “Proton”. The symbol for a proton is H+ which will help you remember Heparin
Study Tips and Notes: Heparin is a blood thinner.
Warfarin
Drug: Warfarin
Antidote: Vitamin K
Memory Trick: Warfarin and Vitamin K both end in “I-N”
Study Tips and Notes: Warfarin is a blood thinner. Vitamin K can be used to reverse the effects of Warfarin. In severe bleeding, the use of prothrombin complex concentrate or fresh frozen plasma may also need to be considered.
Bonus Trick: Think of the phrase “War Kills” to help you remember “War” for Warfarin and the K in “Kills” for Vitamin K
Methemoglobin
Agent: Methemoglobin
Antidote: Methylene Blue
Memory Trick: Both Methemoglobin and Methylene Blue start with “M-E-T-H”
Study Tips and Notes: Methemoglobin is a form of hemoglobin that has been oxidized. Unlike normal hemoglobin, methemoglobin cannot bind oxygen. Furthermore, the presence of methemoglobin shifts the oxygen-dissociation curve to the left. As a result, the remaining normal hemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen (can bind oxygen more efficiently), however it is less able to release oxygen to tissues. Both mechanisms lead to decreased oxygen delivery to tissues. Methemoglobinemia can cause cyanosis, pallor, and blood to appear “chocolate-colored”.
Potassium
Drug: Potassium
Antidote: Bicarbonate, Insulin, Glucose, Kayexalate
Memory Trick: Use the mnemonic “BIG K”. The symbol for Potassium on the periodic table is a capital K or a “Big K”. This will help you remember “B” for Bicarb, “I” for Insulin, “G” for Glucose, and “K” for Kayexalate.
Study Tips and Notes: Albuterol is another treatment option for hyperkalemia (high potassium levels in the blood). If characteristic EKG changes or arrhythmias are present from the hyperkalemia, then consider giving calcium gluconate or calcium chloride which helps stabilize the cardiac cell membrane. Of note, Kayexalate is a brand name and was used for purposes of the mnemonic above. The generic name is sodium polystyrene sulfonate.
Carbon Monoxide
Agent: Carbon Monoxide
Antidote: 100% Oxygen
Memory Trick: Use the “Oxide” in Carbon Monoxide to think of Oxygen
Study Tips and Notes: The initial treatment for carbon monoxide is to remove yourself from the exposure and breathe in pure oxygen. At the hospital, this is done by administering 100% oxygen through a non-rebreather mask. If a question stem on board exams describes recent exposure to automotive exhaust, wood or coal-burning heaters, space heaters, or propane-fueled heaters, then think of carbon monoxide exposure. Another clue is if multiple people in the same household and/or pets are affected.
Anticholinergics
Drug: Anticholinergics
Antidote: Physostigmine
Memory Trick: Use the prefix “Anti-” which means “Against” and associate that with the word “Stigma” to remember Physostigmine
Study Tips and Notes: Anticholinergics are substances or drugs that block the effects of acetylcholine and inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system. Anticholinergics can be used to treat respiratory disorders such as asthma or COPD, Parkinson’s, allergies, and urge incontinence to name a few. Keep in mind that some over-the-counter and prescribed medications can have anticholinergic activity even though they are used for other reasons. Examples include certain antipsychotics, antidepressants, or antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Another tip for board exams is they like to test on Jimsonweed, which is an anticholinergic agent and can cause anticholinergic toxicity.
Check out the previous lecture on anticholinergic toxicity if you want more information on the symptoms and management!
Cholinergics
Drug: Cholinergics
Antidote: Atropine
Memory Trick: When you think of Cholinergic Agents, think of Acetylcholine because they increase the levels or effects of Acetylcholine. Both Acetylcholine and Atropine start with “A” and end in “I-N-E”.
Study Tips and Notes: Cholinergic agents mimic or enhance the effects of acetylcholine which will stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. Atropine is the antidote as atropine inhibits or blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Nursing and board exams like to use organophosphate insecticides as the source of cholinergic toxicity when asking questions about this.
Cyanide
Agent: Cyanide
Antidote: Hydroxocobalamin; Nitrites and Thiosulfate
Memory Trick: The letters that make up the word “Cyanide” appear in Hydroxocobalamin.
Study Tips and Notes: Sources of cyanide on exam questions could be burning of nitrogen-containing products such as plastics, chemical weapon exposure, prolonged use of nitroprusside, and pits of peaches, pears, or apricots. First line therapy for cyanide toxicity in most protocols is hydroxocobalamin, which is usually available in a Cyanokit. The second line therapy if a Cyanokit is unavailable is a Cyanide Antidote Package or a Lilly Kit which contains nitrites and thiosulfate.
Bonus Trick: You can also remember Nitrites using the “N-I” for Nitrites and the “N-I” in Cyanide.
Lead
Agent: Lead
Antidote: EDTA
Memory Trick: Most of the word Lead appears in the letters EDTA.
Study Tips and Notes: EDTA is chelating agent that binds tightly to metal ions, which is why chelating agents are used to remove toxic heavy metals from the body. Other treatment options for lead toxicity may include succimer or dimercaprol (BAL). On medical board exams, sources of lead may include lead paint in older homes, Moonshine which is made in stills that contain lead, car batteries, or water from old pipes to name a few.
Salicylate
Drug: Salicylate (Aspirin)
Antidote: Bicarbonate, Activated Charcoal, Dialysis
Memory Trick: Use the mnemonic “Salicylate Toxicity is BAD” to remember “B” for Bicarbonate, “A” for Activated Charcoal, and “D” for Dialysis
Study Tips and Notes: Sources of salicylate include Aspirin, Oil of Wintergreen, Pepto-Bismol, and Alka-Seltzer to name a few. Management for salicylate toxicity includes sodium bicarbonate, activated charcoal, and dialysis. Salicylate toxicity can cause respiratory alkalosis followed by metabolic acidosis. The sodium bicarbonate helps alkalinize the plasma and urine. Decontamination can be attempted, especially early in presentation, which can be performed using activated charcoal, gastric lavage, or whole-bowel irrigation. Be aware there are mixed reviews on morbidity, mortality, and overall benefits to some of the decontamination approaches. Dialysis may be indicated in altered mental status, severe acidosis, end-organ damage, high salicylate levels, mechanical ventilation, among other indications.
Mercury
Agent: Mercury
Antidote: Dimercaprol (BAL)
Memory Trick: Dimercaprol contains “Merc-” in the word to remember Mercury
Study Tips and Notes: Dimercaprol is a chelating agent. We know from our discussion on lead that chelating agents can bind to metal ions and are used to clear toxic heavy metals from the body. Other chelating options for mercury toxicity may include succimer and penicillamine. A source of mercury poisoning includes seafood or fish consumption such as King Mackerel, swordfish, and tuna.
TCAs
Drug: Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
Antidote: Sodium Bicarbonate
Memory Trick: The letters “TCA” appear in the word Bicarbonate
Study Tips and Notes: TCAs are a class of antidepressants called tricyclic antidepressants. TCA overdose can cause EKG changes such as a widened QRS complexes due to the sodium channel blockade. This is one of the reasons why sodium bicarbonate is indicated.
Extrapyramidal Symptoms
Symptoms: Extrapyramidal Symptoms
Antidote: Diphenhydramine
Memory Trick: When you think of Extrapyramidal Symptoms think of “Pyramid”. It just so happens that the word “Pyramid” is in the word Diphenhydramine.
Study Tips and Notes: Extrapyramidal symptoms are the symptoms that can result from taking antipsychotic medications. These symptoms may include involuntary muscle contractions, tremors, stiff muscles, and involuntary facial movements. Of note, anticholinergics such as diphenhydramine may cause worsening tardive dyskinesia and may work better for other extrapyramidal symptoms such as dystonia, akathisia, and Parkinson-like symptoms.
Magnesium Sulfate
Agent: Magnesium Sulfate
Antidote: Calcium Gluconate
Memory Trick: Magnesium and Calcium rhyme and end in the same letters; Sulfate and Gluconate rhyme and end in the same letters
Study Tips and Notes: Causes of magnesium toxicity may include overuse of magnesium-containing medication or supplements. Symptoms of hypermagnesemia may include loss of deep tendon reflexes (hyporeflexia), muscle weakness, respiratory depression, hypotension, heart blocks, and fatigue to name a few.
Insulin
Drug: Insulin
Antidote: Glucose
Memory Trick: No trick necessary as it is self-explanatory. Insulin treats high glucose levels, so the antidote for too much insulin is glucose.
Study Tips and Notes: Insulin is used in diabetes and to treat hyperglycemia or high blood glucose levels. If someone takes too much insulin, then the treatment is to give more glucose. Symptoms of insulin overdose are similar to that of hypoglycemia and include shaking, sweating, clammy skin, confusion, anxiety, dizziness, hunger, and palpitations to name a few.
Dopamine
Drug: Dopamine
Antidote: Phentolamine
Memory Trick: Dopamine and Phentolamine both end in “-amine”
Study Tips and Notes: One antidote option for dopamine is phentolamine, which blocks alpha receptors. Phentolamine will counteract the effect of vasoactive agents such as dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and phenylephrine. These medications cause vasoconstriction by stimulating alpha receptors, and phentolamine blocks those effects.
Drug Antidotes: List and chart of common drug antidotes and their memory tricks
Drug Antidotes: List and chart of common drug antidotes for medications and agents, along with their memory tricks
Drug Antidotes: List and chart of common pharmacology antidotes and their memory tricks
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Referenceshttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6996653/