PTCB Cheat Sheets
Quick reference guides to help you memorize key pharmacy concepts for the PTCE exam.
Top 200 Brand/Generic Drugs
The most commonly prescribed medications with brand names, generic names, and drug classes.
1.Lisinopril (Zestril) - ACE Inhibitor
2.Atorvastatin (Lipitor) - HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor
3.Metformin (Glucophage) - Biguanide
4.Amlodipine (Norvasc) - Calcium Channel Blocker
5.Omeprazole (Prilosec) - Proton Pump Inhibitor
6.Metoprolol (Lopressor) - Beta Blocker
7.Losartan (Cozaar) - ARB
8.Levothyroxine (Synthroid) - Thyroid Hormone
9.Gabapentin (Neurontin) - Anticonvulsant
10.Sertraline (Zoloft) - SSRI
Common Sig Codes
Abbreviations used on prescription labels.
1.po = by mouth
2.bid = twice daily
3.tid = three times daily
4.qid = four times daily
5.prn = as needed
6.qhs = at bedtime
7.ac = before meals
8.pc = after meals
9.ud = as directed
10.stat = immediately
Controlled Substance Schedules
DEA drug scheduling classifications.
1.Schedule I - No accepted medical use (heroin, LSD, marijuana*)
2.Schedule II - High abuse potential (oxycodone, fentanyl, methylphenidate)
3.Schedule III - Moderate abuse potential (testosterone, ketamine, buprenorphine)
4.Schedule IV - Low abuse potential (benzodiazepines, zolpidem, tramadol)
5.Schedule V - Lowest abuse potential (pregabalin, cough syrups with codeine)
Pharmacy Math Formulas
Essential calculation formulas for the PTCE.
1.Days Supply = Quantity / Daily Dose
2.Alligation: (Higher - Desired) / (Desired - Lower) = ratio
3.Dilution: C1V1 = C2V2
4.Flow Rate (mL/hr) = Volume / Time
5.Drops/min = (Volume x Drop Factor) / (Time in min)
6.BSA (Mosteller) = sqrt((Height x Weight) / 3600)
7.CrCl (Cockcroft-Gault) = [(140-age) x weight] / (72 x SCr)
8.Markup % = (Selling - Cost) / Cost x 100
USP Compounding Standards
Key requirements for sterile and non-sterile compounding.
1.USP 795 - Non-sterile compounding standards
2.USP 797 - Sterile compounding standards
3.USP 800 - Hazardous drug handling
4.ISO Class 5 - Direct compounding area (PEC)
5.ISO Class 7 - Buffer area
6.ISO Class 8 - Ante area
7.BUD for non-sterile water-containing: 30 days (preserved)
8.Garbing order: shoe covers, hair cover, face mask, gown, gloves
High-Alert Medications (ISMP)
Medications that require extra safety precautions.
1.Insulin - all formulations
2.Opioids - morphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone
3.Anticoagulants - warfarin, heparin, enoxaparin
4.Neuromuscular blocking agents
5.Chemotherapy agents
6.Concentrated electrolytes (KCl, NaCl >0.9%)
7.IV digoxin
8.Epidural/intrathecal medications
9.Methotrexate (oral, non-oncology use)
10.Nitroprusside