High-Yield Topics for Pharmacology

Jan 10, 2025

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Subject Weightage

Type of Questions asked in NEET?

High-Yield Topics For NEET PG in Pharmacology

NEET PG-High Yield Topics for Pharmacology

To help make your NEET PG preparations more fruitful, PrepLadder has come up with a list of high-yield topics for pharmacology.

After carefully studying the exam pattern for the last 10 years and with the help of India's top Pharmacology faculty, Dr. Bharath Kumar VD, we have identified some must-read topics that will help you score better in the exam. Read on.

Also read: NEET PG Preparation Tips That Will Guarantee A Good Rank

Subject Weightage

As per the latest pattern, the NEET PG exam is divided into three sections - A, B & C. Section A consists of 50 questions, Section B consists of 100 questions, and Section C consists of 150 questions.

The marking scheme is the same throughout all the sections. Pharmacology is a part of Section B and comprises of 20 questions. So, the subject weightage in NEET PG 2025 for pharmacology is 80 marks.

Type of Questions asked in NEET?

Based on the latest exam pattern, the following are the primary types of questions that you can expect in the upcoming exam:

1. Single best answer

Case-based
Fact-based
Concept-based
Numerical/Value-based

2. Image-based questions

3. True or false type questions

High-Yield Topics For NEET PG in Pharmacology

Pharmacology is an enormous and diverse subject but well-scoring nonetheless. Although you need to cover the entire syllabus once for your NEET-PG preparation, you must focus more on high-yield topics to make your learning more productive. Here are the most important topics for NEET PG 2025 -

Also Read: THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HEALTHCARE

Unit Name	Most Important Topics
General Pharmacology	Concept of Bioavailability - its clinical importance and how to calculate bioavailability First Pass Metabolism PC-T Graph Factors affecting volume of distribution Routes of drug administration Plasma protein binding CYP substrates, inducers, inhibitors Bioavailability and Dose response curve graphs Drug antagonism types and examples Competitive vs. non-Competitive antagonism Drug schedules, essential medicines, FDC,TDM First and zero-order kinetics Phases of clinical trials(aim, participants and type of study) Different types of receptors & which drugs act upon which receptors Receptor location, second messenger and examples Major teratogenic drug list pk problems Clinical Trials Practicals including prescription
ANS	Basic architecture and functions of the divisions of ANS Uses of cholinergic drugs Management of OP, Carbamate and atropine poisoning Drugs acting at neuromuscular junction Drugs used in myasthenia gravis and Alzheimer’s disease Atropine and glycopyrrolate Drugs used in bladder conditions (overactive bladder and BPH) Adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine in detail Receptors of the sympathetic and parasympathetic system AChe inhibitors, including OP poisoning Uses of anticholinergic drugs and poisoning Used of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine Beta-blockers (cardio selective vs. non-selective) Contraindications of beta blockers Prazosin uses and adverse effects Anti-glaucoma drugs Anti-obesity drugs
Autacoids	Difference between first and second-generation antihistamines Drugs for Migraine (attack and prophylaxis) Antihistaminics (1st vs 2nd generation) Antihistamine causing QT prolongation Prostaglandin preparation and uses Contraindications of Prostaglandin preparations 5HT receptors NSAIDs: PCM and aspirin in detail Drugs for gout (acute vs. chronic) Drugs for RA DMARDs (mainly mechanism of action)
Renal Pharmacology	Mechanism and site of action ofdiuretics Adverse effects of loop, thiazides and spironolactone DOC in various edema conditions Contraindications of mannitol Tolvaptan Uses of desmopressin and terlipressin
CVS	Difference between ACE inhibitors and ARBs Reason for angioedema and dry cough with ACE inhibitors Contraindications of ACE inhibitors Drugs decreasing mortality in chronic CHF Basic concepts and drugs in acute and chronic CHF Digoxin in detail Nesiritide Nitrates mechanism of action in angina Nitrates plus sildenafil Calcium channel blockers( DHPs vs. Non DHPs) Newer drugs in angina pectoris First line antihypertensive drugs Drugs used in hypertensive crisis Antihypertensive drugs mechanism and major adverse effects Antihypertensive drugs contraindicated in pregnancy Drugs used in pulmonary hypertension Classification of anti-arrhythmic DOC for various arrhythmias Amiodarone in details particularly adverse effects Nitrates New drugs for angina Mechanism and names of anti-arrhythmic drugs Statins and new anti-dyslipidemic drugs
Endocrine	Bromocriptine, cabergoline uses Uses of octreotide Drugs used in acromegaly Uses of GnRH agonist and antagonist Uterine relaxant and stimulants Propylthiouracil and carbimazole difference Insulin preparations Metformin in detail Anti-diabetic drugs-MOA, effect on glucose, weight and routes of administration SGLT2 Inhibitors adverse effects Teduglutide, Sotagliflozin, tirzepatide and saroglitazaar Adverse effects and contraindications of corticosteroids Steroids use in preterm labour and CAH Drugs to treat Cushing disease Bisphosphonates-MOA, USES and A/E Bone forming and resorbing agents Drugs used for BPH, Erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and prostate cancer SERM,SERD and aromatase inhibitors Tamoxifen in detail Mifepristone, clomiphene citrate Osteoporosis
CNS	Difference between benzodiazepines and barbiturates Management of benzodiazepines and barbiturates poisoning Benzodiazepines safe in liver disease patient Orexin antagonist and melatonin agonist Types of seizures and DOC Valproate, phenytoin, carbamazepine, topiramte and lamotrigene in details Mechanism of action of anti-epileptic drugs Drugs in alcohol, smoking and opioid de-addiction Lithium in detail Difference between typical and atypical antipsychotic Adverse effects of typical antipsychotic, particularly extra-pyramidal symptoms and management Clozapine, risperidone, aripiprazole in details Drugs used in Parkinson’s,Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Advantages and disadvantages of levodopa and carbidopa combination SSRIs uses and adverse effects Antidepressants causing sexual dysfunction Morphine uses, contraindications and poisoning Morphine vs. Pethidine Tramadol and methadone specialty Drugs used in neuropathic pain
Hematology	Warfarin and Heparin Basic mechanism of antiplatelet drugs Newer oral anticoagulants
Drugs affecting blood and blood formation	Mechanism of action of anticoagulants, adverse effects, antidote and lab monitoring Anticoagulants in pregnancy NOACs/DOACs Mechanism of action of antiplatelet drugs Clopidogrel and CYP2C19 Management of acute and chronic iron overdose Fibrinolytics and antifibrinolytics Mechanism of action uses and adverse effects of statins, fibrates and Niacin
Respiratory System	Drugs used for prophylaxis and attack of asthma MOA-Montelukast, omalizumab, cromoglycate Bronchodilators Adverse effects of salbutamol New drugs in asthma and COPD Drugs used in Dry and productive cough Bronchial Asthma Peptic ulcer Anti-emetic drugs
GIT	Metoclopramide and dystonia management DOC for CINV, Morning sickness and motion sickness PPIs – MOA and uses H.pylori eradication regimen
Antimicrobials	Mechanism of action of antibacterial drugs Major bacterial infection( DOC/First choice) Anti-bacterial: cidal and static Adverse effects of antibacterial drugs Anti-bacterial safe in pregnancy, children and renal failure Drugs used in STIs and prophylaxis First line Anti TB drugs in detail(HRZE) Bedaquiline in details Second line TB drugs Definition of MDR, pre XDR and XDR TB Leprosy treatment regimen and management of lepra reaction List of ineffective antimicrobials in certain infections Metronidazole in detail DOC for Helminthic infections Mechanism of antifungals and DOC for systemic fungal infections MOA of oseltamivir Drugs used for COVID management DOC for HSV, VZV,CMV, Hepatitis B and C MOA and adverse effects of Anti HIV drugs Treatment and prophylaxis of HIV and treatment of opportunistic infection in HIV patients Malaria treatment and prophylaxis Chloroquine, primaquine in detail
Anticancer and IS	Common adverse effects Anti-cancer drugs and the treatment/prevention of them Mechanism of action of anticancer drugs Cell cycle and non-cell cycle specific anticancer drugs Cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, 5flurouracil, vincristine (in detail) Methotrexate in detail Small molecule inhibitors and Monoclonal antibodies in anticancer therapy Immune check point inhibitors in anticancer therapy Mechanism of action of immunosuppressant Drugs Calcineurin inhibitors Adverse effects of cyclosporine
Miscellaneous	Treatment of Hyperkalemia Tricyclic antidepressants Antidotes of various drugs

Download the FREE PDF featuring all the high-yield topics of Pharmacology and make sure nothing important from this vast subject is left out.

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Make sure to cover all the topics mentioned above in detail, and you will be able to score excellent marks in the exam. Download the PrepLadder app now and be the first one to know the high-yield topics of the remaining 18 subjects.

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