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 2024 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 2024 -
Also Read: THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HEALTHCARE
Pharmacology Important Topics For NEET PG
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 of diuretics
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
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