How specific is PHARM tested on step 1? What types of questions do they ask?

[nope80]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Okay, so I really am confused about how much detail we have to know for pharm. Take SSRIs for example, what are typical questions they may ask or require us to know? Do we have to know for example that Paroxetine is "paxil" and that it is approved for additional use in "social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress syndrome" and other specifics about various drugs within a class? Do we have to know all the tradenames of drugs in a given class and how they may differ on a more specific treatment level?

I'd really appreciate some advice on this as I have no idea how specifically I need to study pharm...

 

[Saladin MD]

The three things tested are clinical uses, MOA and side effects.

I think First Aid is perfect for pharm. Just make flash cards of whatever is in FA and you should be good to go, God-Willing.

 

[nope80]

But do we have to know all the names (or at least recognize) within a class and the differences between drugs within a class? Or will they list the classes as answer choices?

 

[Saladin MD]

But do we have to know all the names (or at least recognize) within a class and the differences between drugs within a class? Or will they list the classes as answer choices?

Bro, I would say that yes for some drugs and no for others. It varies. FA gives you the amount of detail you need for each drug (which varies from drug to drug).

Just bust out FA and take a look: whatever they have is fair game. (There is one notable exception: I would forget about memorizing the clinical uses of the chemo drugs--just do MOA and side effects for them. But otherwise, know FA inside and out!)

 

[ENThopeful]

so are you saying the clinical uses of chemo drugs are irrelevant or its too difficult to memorize?

 

[Saladin MD]

so are you saying the clinical uses of chemo drugs are irrelevant or its too difficult to memorize?

This was discussed on another thread by some members, and they said that (1) it is unrealistic (i.e. too difficult) to memorize all of the uses, and (2) it is not tested on the exam. I took their advice and didn't memorize it. Thankfully, I did not get any such questions on the exam, and some other people also attest to the same thing.

So I think it's safe to say that it would be a waste of time to memorize all that. That was the ONLY thing in FA for Pharm that I didn't try to memorize.

However, I can't give any money back guarantees: if you get a couple questions on it, don't hunt me down and kill me. It simply seems unrealistic of them to ask it, shrug. Just know MOA and side effects for chemo drugs.

Having said that, memorize the non-cancer uses of those drugs. For example, methotrexate has uses other than cancers. So know those. But as for what to use for lung cancer, breast cancer, etc., I say forget that stuff. Maybe someone else can pitch in here.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

Okay, so I really am confused about how much detail we have to know for pharm. Take SSRIs for example, what are typical questions they may ask or require us to know? Do we have to know for example that Paroxetine is "paxil" and that it is approved for additional use in "social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress syndrome" and other specifics about various drugs within a class? Do we have to know all the tradenames of drugs in a given class and how they may differ on a more specific treatment level?

I'd really appreciate some advice on this as I have no idea how specifically I need to study pharm...

-You do not need to know trade names at all (that's the best part of third year, actually...when all your pharm knowledge becomes useless because you have to spend the whole year looking up the trade names)
-You do not need to know the FDA approvals; you do need to know general indications (eg - that SSRIs are anti-depressants/anti-anxiety)

-What you need to know is much more pharmacology (mechanism of action, metabolism, side effects) based than clinically based

-For ENThopeful - chemo drugs are pretty low yield (esp if you are looking at clinical use/treatment regimens). You def need to know mechanism and side effects for these, but you won't be getting questions about whether to use CHOP or ICE for lymphoma.

-Agree w/ above - FA covers the needed pharm info pretty thoroughly.

 

[kookaiDO]

So, it seems that the conclusion is that FA is really sufficient for pharm. But, what if you really didn't learn much pharm the first time around? Is it still sufficient to use FA as a guide for what to learn and then use Katzung/Lippencott as references when you don't understand things? Or should I really plan on doing more comprehensive studying? I don't know if it makes a difference but I'm taking both comlex and usmle, and probably using Taus's plan.

Also as a side note, has anyone used made ridiculously simple for pharm? I used it for micro and it really helped a lot, but amazon had less than stellar reviews for the pharm book. Any thoughts?

Thanks for the help 🙂

 

[thethom]

All you need to know is that trazodone can cause priapism.

Seriously tho, the above posters are right.

Best of luck!

-T

 

[Saladin MD]

So, it seems that the conclusion is that FA is really sufficient for pharm. But, what if you really didn't learn much pharm the first time around?

Does not matter at all.

Is it still sufficient to use FA as a guide for what to learn and then use Katzung/Lippencott as references when you don't understand things?

Honestly, I don't see that happening. I don't think you'll ever need to refer to Katzung/Lippencott. But sure. Just know FA cold.

Or should I really plan on doing more comprehensive studying?

I would advise 3-5 reads of FA. I did around 4-5.

Also as a side note, has anyone used made ridiculously simple for pharm?

*rips off hair on head*

FIRST AID! Give me an F, give me an I, give me an R, give me an S, give me a T, FIRST AID!!!!!

 

[thethom]

Also as a side note, has anyone used made ridiculously simple for pharm? I used it for micro and it really helped a lot, but amazon had less than stellar reviews for the pharm book. Any thoughts?

Thanks for the help 🙂

Pharm Ridiculously Simple blows, don't bother with it...they shoulda stopped with micro...

 

[UditNarayan]

i thought first aid was good too, but i supplemented quite a few sections with kaplan pharm (which is part of the kaplan lecture notes series). in the end, i was really happy with this strategy since i got some pharm right i wouldn't have known otherwise. in the end tho, its better to learn something really well then try to spread yourself too thin with too many resources.