High-yielding subjects are essential for a successful study plan to achieve excellent exam results. A NEET PG candidate must strategically plan their preparation, emphasizing time management, health, and high-yielding topics from each course.

Pharmacology is the scientific study of the interaction of drugs with the living system. This may include studying the biological effects of drugs, identifying and validating new drug targets, and designing and developing new drugs to prevent, treat, and cure disease.

MBBS Prof Exam Pattern

The MBBS Prof exam for the Pharmacology subject contains two theory exams, each worth 100 marks, and the practical examination (Practical/Clinical + Viva), also worth 100 marks, for a total of 300 marks in the paper, as per the current CBME curriculum. There are various types of questions in the theory exam, including structured essays (long answer questions, or LAQ), short answer questions, and objective questions (MCQs and IBQs).

Important topics of Pharmacology for MBBS Prof Exam, NEET-PG and INI-CET

If you want to pursue postgraduate study, you should concentrate on early preparation for both prof exams and entrance examinations. India currently has two major exams: NEET PG/NExT and INI-CET. The weightage of the Pharmacology subject is about 12-14 questions in INI-CET and 15-20 questions in NEET PG 2023.

Here’s a list of Important topics of Pharmacology for NEET-PG 2023, INI-CET, and MBBS Prof exams.

Pharmacology

• Route of Drug Administration
• Bioavailability
• Plasma Protein Binding
• Pharmacovigilance
• Microsomal enzyme and Enzyme Induction
• First pass metabolism
• Kinetics of Elimination
• Loading dose and Maintenance dose
• G protein coupled receptors
• Therapeutic index
• Factors modifying drug actions
• Placebo, Rational prescribing
• Tolerance
• Teratogenicity

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

• Myasthenia gravis
• Atropine, Ipratropium bromide, Tiotropium, Dicyclomine
• Drugs used in motion sickness
• Treatment of Anticholinesterase
• Cholinergic Drugs
• Cholinesterase Reactivators
• Glaucoma
• OP Poisoning treatment
• β-blockers (Complete)
• Mydriatics
• Pregalin, Phenylephrine, Epimedin

Autocoids

• Advantage of second generation Antihistamines over the first generation
• Use of prostaglandin analogues
• Migraine
• Rheumatoid arthritis, Gout
• Allopurinol, Aspirin, Sumatriptan, Probenecid
• Classification of NSAIDs, Uses, adverse effects

PNS

• Local Anesthesia

GIT

• Classification of treatment of peptic ulcer and drugs- mechanism of action and adverse effects
• H₂ Blockers- uses, adverse effects, Mechanism of actions
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPI)
• Antacids
• Sucralfate
• Prokinetic drugs (Metoclopramide, Domperidone)
• 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists

Endocrinology

• Differences between Propylthiouracil and Carbimazole
• Radioactive Iodine
• Preparation of Insulin & Indications for Insulin
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis
• Biguanide (Metformin)
• Corticosteroids
• Anabolic steroid
• Sildenafil & Tadalafil
• Estrogen
• Clomiphene Citrate
• Selective Estrogen receptor modulators (SERMS)- Tamoxifen
• Mifepristone
• Oral contraceptives

Anti-microbial Agents (Very important section)

• Drug Resistance
• Prevention of Drug Resistance
• Superinfections
• Cotrimoxazole, Fluoroquinolones
• Extended spectrum penicillin
• β- lactamase inhibitors
• Third generation cephalosporins
• Aminoglycosides
• First-line drugs for TB
• Categories-wise treatment regimens for TB
• Role of Corticosteroids in the treatment of TB
• Amphotericin-B, Griseofulvin, Clotrimazole, Ketoconazole, fluconazole
• Amantadine, Interferon
• Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
• Classification of malarial drugs, chemoprophylaxis of metals
• Treatment of uncomplicated malaria
• Treatment of severe and complicated falciparum malaria
• Chloroquine, Quinine, Primaquine
• Treatment of different forms of amoebic infection
• Metronidazole, Mebendazole, Albendazole, DEC
• Anti-retroviral drugs
• Drugs used in Acne vulgaris

Click here to watch the video lectures on important topics of Pharmacology in MBBS.

Anti-cancer drugs

• Cyclophosphamide
• Cisplatin
• Methotrexate
• Paclitaxel
• Imatinib
• Monoclonal Antibody

Cardiovascular System (CVS)

• ACE Inhibitors
• ARBs
• Cardiacglycoside (Digoxin)
• Calcium channels blockers (CCB)
• Treatment of CHF
• Treatment of Hypertension (Classification)
• Treatment of Angina
• Treatment of Arrhythmia and lignocaine describe (Class-1)
• Vasodilators
• Hypertensive Emergency
• Nicorandil, Nitrate, Lignocaine, Postmortem, Enalapril

Blood:

• Parenteral Iron preparation
• Oral Anticoagulants
• Anti-platelets
• Low molecular weight
• Warfarin
• Deferiprone
• Hypolipidemic Drugs

Kidney

• Loop diuretics (Furosemide)
• Mannitol
• K Sparing diuretics (Spironolactone)

Chelating Agents

• BAL (British anti-Lewiste)
• Deferoxamine
• Deferiprone

Central Nervous System (CNS)

• Preanesthetic medication
• Ketoamine
• Antiepileptic drug classification, Phenytoin, Sodium Valproate, Gabapentin, and newer antiepileptic drugs
• Status epilepticus
• Anti-parkinsonian drug classification, Levodopa, Levodopa+ Carbidopa, Sellegilline
• Antipsychotic drug classification
• Lithium carbonate, Diazepam
• Antidepressants classification, TCA, SSRI, SNRI, Atypical antidepressants
• Morphine, Acute morphine, Poisoning treatment, Buprenorphine
• Opioid Antagonist

All the above-mentioned are high-yielding topics for NEET PG 2023 and frequently asked topics in the MBBS prof exams. Do not skip these important topics to score high in your exams.

To supplement your studies and NEET PG preparation, Pharmacology for UnderGrads is one of the best online Pharmacology courses by renowned faculty, Dr. Sandeep Kaushal, and Dr. Nirmal George. This online course includes highly illustrative video lectures, notes, and 2400+ self-assessment questions along with important topics for practicals and viva.  The lectures follow the new CBME approach, which ensures conceptual clarity and high scores in prof and entrance exams. To facilitate comprehension and memory, the course offers highly illustrative video lectures, notes, and mnemonics in addition to flowcharts, tables, and boxes. Additionally, questions with answer keys are offered for self-evaluation after each session. To help students be ready for practical exams and viva, all significant practical questions are also covered.

To get conceptual clarity in Pharmacology online, subscribe to CBME & NEET-oriented Pharmacology for UnderGrads course.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q 1 . Is Pharmacology important for NEET PG?

Ans- Yes, Pharmacology along with other subjects holds importance in the NEET-PG exam depending on the subject weightage. The weightage of Pharmacology in NEET PG is almost 15-20 questions per year.

Q 2. What is the scope of an MD in Pharmacology?

Ans- There is wide scope in the field of Pharmacology after completing the Master’s degree in Pharmacology. The job prospects for a lucrative career include Research, Drug Inspector, Pharmacovigilant, Professor, Chief Medical Officer, Clinical Research Associate, Clinical Pharmacologist, and many more.

Q3. Which is the best online pharmacology course for MBBS students?

Ans- Pharmacology for UnderGrads is one of the best online pharmacology online courses, designed by top faculty, Dr. Sandeep Kaushal and Dr. Nirmal George. The course modules align with the new CBME curriculum, facilitating a structured approach for students. The course includes highly illustrative video lectures and notes along with mnemonics, flowcharts, tables, and boxes, to enhance understanding and memorize easily. In addition, at the end of each session, questions with answer keys are provided for self-assessment. All the important practical questions are also covered so that students can prepare for practicals and viva.