{"id":27474,"date":"2017-01-19T17:38:04","date_gmt":"2017-01-19T17:38:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=27474"},"modified":"2026-03-25T10:58:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T15:58:53","slug":"side-effects-mnemonics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/side-effects-mnemonics\/","title":{"rendered":"Mnemonics for Drug Side Effects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t<div id=\"mmDeferVideoEncompass_mV3w7tfvCjQ\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"> \n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" id=\"videoThumbnailImage_mV3w7tfvCjQ\" data-source-videoID=\"mV3w7tfvCjQ\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" alt=\"Mnemonics for Drug Side Effects Video\" height=\"464\" width=\"825\" class=\"size-full\" data-matomo-title = \"Mnemonics for Drug Side Effects\">\n\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>img#videoThumbnailImage_mV3w7tfvCjQ:hover {cursor:pointer;} img#videoThumbnailImage_mV3w7tfvCjQ {background-size:contain;background-image:url(\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/updated-mnemonics-for-drug-side-effects-64c3e0830d7bd.webp\");}<\/style>\n\t\t\t<script defer>\n\t\t\t  jQuery(\"img#videoThumbnailImage_mV3w7tfvCjQ\").click(function() {\n\t\t\t\tlet videoId = jQuery(this).attr(\"data-source-videoID\");\n\t\t\t\tlet helpTag = '<div id=\"mmDeferVideoYTMessage_mV3w7tfvCjQ\" style=\"display: none;position: absolute;top: -24px;width: 100%;text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;font-size: small;border-top: 1px solid #fc0;\">Having trouble? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v='+videoId+'\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to watch on YouTube.<\/a><\/span><\/div>';\n\t\t\t\tlet tag = document.createElement(\"iframe\");\n\t\t\t\ttag.id = \"yt\" + videoId;\n\t\t\t\ttag.src = \"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/\" + videoId + \"?autoplay=1&controls=1&wmode=opaque&rel=0&egm=0&iv_load_policy=3&hd=0&enablejsapi=1\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.frameborder = 0;\n\t\t\t\ttag.allow = \"autoplay; fullscreen\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.width = this.width;\n\t\t\t\ttag.height = this.height;\n\t\t\t\ttag.setAttribute(\"data-matomo-title\",\"Mnemonics for Drug Side Effects\");\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_mV3w7tfvCjQ\").html(tag);\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_mV3w7tfvCjQ\").prepend(helpTag);\n\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function(){jQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoYTMessage_mV3w7tfvCjQ\").css(\"display\", \"block\");}, 2000);\n\t\t\t  });\n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><script>\nfunction 4rH_Function() {\n  var x = document.getElementById(\"4rH\");\n  if (x.style.display === \"none\") {\n    x.style.display = \"block\";\n  } else {\n    x.style.display = \"none\";\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"moc-toc hide-on-desktop hide-on-tablet\">\n<div><button onclick=\"4rH_Function()\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/toc2.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"show or hide table of contents\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p>On this page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<nav id=\"4rH\" style=\"display:none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#MORPHINE\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">MORPHINE<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#ACHES\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">ACHES<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#SAMS\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">SAMS<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Atropine_Overdose\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Atropine Overdose<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#CUSHINGOID\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">CUSHINGOID<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"accordion\"><input id=\"transcript\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"transcript\">Transcript<\/label>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"transcript-spoiler\">\n<p><a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/pharmacology-mnemonic\/\">Pharmacology<\/a> can be overwhelming, so we\u2019re going to look at some mnemonics to help with remembering the side effects of a few drugs.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"MORPHINE\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>MORPHINE<\/h2>\n<p>\nMorphine is an opioid analgesic (narcotic) that is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It has several side effects and can cause addiction, overdose, or death if misused. Remember the following common side effects of morphine:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<li><strong>M<\/strong>iosis (constriction of the pupil)<\/li>\n<li><strong>O<\/strong>ut of it (sedation)<\/li>\n<li><strong>R<\/strong>espiratory depression<\/li>\n<li><strong>P<\/strong>ruritus (common) and Pneumonia<\/li>\n<li><strong>H<\/strong>ypotension and Headache<\/li>\n<li><strong>I<\/strong>nfrequency (referring to urinary retention or constipation)<\/li>\n<li><strong>N<\/strong>ausea<\/li>\n<li><strong>E<\/strong>mesis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span id=\"ACHES\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>ACHES<\/h2>\n<p>\nMany women experience side effects from birth control pills such as irregular periods, nausea, or weight change. However, if any of these more serious side effects occur, emergency care is recommended as they may signify a serious condition.<\/p>\n<p>Remember \u201cACHES\u201d for the complications of oral birth control pills:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<li><strong>A<\/strong>bdominal pain<\/li>\n<li><strong>C<\/strong>hest pain &#8211; shortness of breath<\/li>\n<li><strong>H<\/strong>eadaches (sudden\/severe\/persistent) &#8211; possibly caused by CVA or increase BP<\/li>\n<li><strong>E<\/strong>ye problems &#8211; stemming from an increase in BP or vascular accident<\/li>\n<li><strong>S<\/strong>evere leg pain &#8211; thromboembolism<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span id=\"SAMS\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>SAMS<\/h2>\n<p>\nLidocaine is an antiarrhythmic used in the acute management of ventricular arrhythmias and acute MI. Lidocaine can be toxic if administered inappropriately and in some cases may cause adverse reactions even when administered properly.<\/p>\n<p>Remember \u201cSAMS\u201d for signs and symptoms of lidocaine toxicity:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<li><strong>S<\/strong>lurred or difficult speech &#8211; paresthesiae, numbness of lips\/tongue<\/li>\n<li><strong>A<\/strong>ltered CNS &#8211; drowsiness, dizziness, restlessness, confusion, arrhythmias<\/li>\n<li><strong>M<\/strong>uscle twitching &#8211; tremors<\/li>\n<li><strong>S<\/strong>eizures &#8211; convulsions, respiratory depression, respiratory and cardiac arrest<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span id=\"Atropine_Overdose\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Atropine Overdose<\/h2>\n<p>\nAtropine is an <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/cholinergic-and-anti-cholinergic-drugs\/\">anticholinergic<\/a> that is used to treat bradycardia, reduce salivation and bronchial secretions before surgery, and as an antidote for overdose of cholinergic drugs or mushroom poisoning.<\/p>\n<p>Watch for signs and symptoms of overdose to include the following:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<li><strong>Hot as a hare<\/strong> &#8211; increased body temperature<\/li>\n<li><strong>Blind as a bat<\/strong> &#8211; dilated pupils and blurry vision<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dry as a bone<\/strong> &#8211; dry mouth, dry skin, dry eyes<\/li>\n<li><strong>Red as a beet<\/strong> &#8211; flushed face, lightheadedness, or fainting<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mad as a hatter<\/strong> &#8211; confusion, anxiety, rapid HR, headache<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span id=\"CUSHINGOID\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>CUSHINGOID<\/h2>\n<p>\nCorticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are used to suppress an overactive and unwanted immune response\u2014decreasing swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions. However, they also have side effects that can be very serious, typically presenting as drug-induced Cushing\u2019s syndrome.<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<li><strong>C<\/strong>ataracts<\/li>\n<li><strong>U<\/strong>lcers<\/li>\n<li><strong>S<\/strong>triae, skin thinning<\/li>\n<li><strong>H<\/strong>ypertension \/ Hirsutism \/ buffalo Hump<\/li>\n<li><strong>I<\/strong>mmunosuppression, infections<\/li>\n<li><strong>N<\/strong>ecrosis of femoral heads (death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply)<\/li>\n<li><strong>G<\/strong>lucose elevation<\/li>\n<li><strong>O<\/strong>steoporosis, obesity (including classic \u2018moon face\u2019)<\/li>\n<li><strong>I<\/strong>mpaired wound healing<\/li>\n<li><strong>D<\/strong>iabetes, depression\/mood changes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These numerous side effects of corticosteroids are the result of their diverse effects on numerous organ systems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/patient-care\/\">Return to Patient Care Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Return to Patient Care Videos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":187664,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-27474","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-mnemonics","7":"page_category-patient-care-videos","8":"page_category-pharmacology-videos","9":"page_category-video-pages-for-study-course-sidebar-ad","10":"page_type-video","11":"subject_matter-nursing"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27474","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27474"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27474\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":279043,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27474\/revisions\/279043"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/187664"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27474"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}