Drug Guides
BNF-anchored study notes for high-yield drugs on the UK GPhC Common Registration Assessment. Each guide covers indications, dosing, monitoring, interactions and counselling.
Vitamin K antagonist (oral anticoagulant)
Warfarin
Oral vitamin K antagonist used for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolism. Narrow therapeutic index — INR monitoring is required.
Antifolate / DMARD / cytotoxic antimetabolite
Methotrexate
Antifolate used at low weekly oral doses for inflammatory disease (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn's) and at high doses as cytotoxic chemotherapy. Inadvertent daily dosing has caused fatal toxicity.
Mood stabiliser
Lithium
Long-standing mood stabiliser with a narrow therapeutic index. Levels are taken 12 hours post-dose; thyroid, renal, calcium and weight are monitored regularly.
Class III antiarrhythmic
Amiodarone
Broad-spectrum antiarrhythmic used in life-threatening tachyarrhythmias and atrial fibrillation. Long half-life (≈50 days) and multiple organ toxicities mean monitoring is intensive.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists / incretin mimetics
GLP-1 receptor agonists
Injectable (and oral semaglutide) drug class for type 2 diabetes and, at higher doses, weight management. Slow gastric emptying, augment glucose-dependent insulin secretion, and suppress glucagon.
Practice for the CRA
Apply these drug profiles to 2,000+ exam-style questions and full mock exams mirroring the official two-paper CRA.