Biochemistry USMLE Step 1

[Ali Alsaif]

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Hello,
I'm asking this at the risk of sounding petty, but how important are the drugs that inhibit certain enzymes on synthesis pathway. For an example, Leflunomide inhibits Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase.
Thanks

 

[Psai]

dUMP to dTMP is the highest yield for that pathway. Know that hydroxyurea is used in sickle cell.

 

[J ROD]

2-3 star

 

[jokerman55]

My philosophy is if it is in first aid then its important.

 

[ketosisevangelist]

Just pick up the easy concepts that are easy pal.

 

[Phloston]

Very important

 

[Phloston]

Most often you'll chat with residents or doctors who have no idea how drugs work, and it's pretty disappointing really. Because it tells you people don't understand why they're actually doing things; they just do.

 

[thehundredthone]

Hello,
I'm asking this at the risk of sounding petty, but how important are the drugs that inhibit certain enzymes on synthesis pathway. For an example, Leflunomide inhibits Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase.
Thanks

For the USMLE Step 1, it's not exactly "high" yield. But then restricting your knowledge of basic sciences to only what is "high yield" is fallacious, because you don't know what will be on your exam. For your personal understanding of medicine, knowing how drugs work can bridge your knowledge of pharmacology to a lot of physiology and pathophysiology.

 

[DermViser]

Most often you'll chat with residents or doctors who have no idea how drugs work, and it's pretty disappointing really. Because it tells you people don't understand why they're actually doing things; they just do.

@Phloston, That's bc knowing the USMLE Step 1 factoid isn't clinically relevant, no matter how much you convince yourself otherwise. Knowing i.e. the MOA and the enzyme that is inhibited makes for great intellectual bloviating and in answering pimp questions, but doesn't mean a darn thing in MS-3 or in the clinical world.

 

[J ROD]

Most hospitals have forms you check off once you have made a diagnosis. So, it takes much of thinking out. What antibiotics should I use for this infection? Oh yeah, here are all the parameters and I just check a box. Also, I wanted to use this antibiotic but it is not on my hospital formulary since they made a deal even though this drug has more side effects. (personal experience where my hospital did not carry levaquin for yrs since we made a deal for avelox, which has qt prolongation).

It is all one, big game you have to play. In the end, you might get a decent salary for what you do and get to help some folks. And be in more debt than a small 3rd world country.......only problem is we actually have to pay back our loans.

Here's to living the dream!

 

[Polymyxin]

On my actual exam I had only 2-5 Biochem questions....did anyone else find that to be the case on the real deal. (I was really disappointed with this bc it's my strongest subject. )

 

[Psai]

On my actual exam I had only 2-5 Biochem questions....did anyone else find that to be the case on the real deal. (I was really disappointed with this bc it's my strongest subject. )

I had way more. My memory is getting fuzzy but I feel like I had over 10 and at least 20. They were mostly straight out of FA though, know the basics and the pathways and you were good