MBBS Drug Dosing Reference Guide

What the MBBS Drug Dosing Reference Covers

The GeckoMed drug dosing reference organises drugs by the categories most relevant to your MBBS Pharmacology syllabus. Each drug entry is structured to match the format expected in university written papers and viva exams.

Each drug entry includes:

Drug class and mechanism of action
Standard adult dose and route of administration
Paediatric dose where relevant to MBBS curriculum
Key indications (exam-focused)
Important adverse effects and contraindications
Clinically significant drug interactions
Exam tip: what MBBS papers most commonly ask about this drug

Drug Categories in the Reference

The MBBS drug dosing reference spans the full Pharmacology syllabus as structured under the NMC CBME framework. The following categories are covered:

Autonomic Pharmacology Cholinergic agonists and antagonists, adrenergic agonists and antagonists, neuromuscular blockers. Includes doses for atropine, adrenaline, propranolol, neostigmine, and succinylcholine.

Cardiovascular Drugs Antihypertensives (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, diuretics), antiarrhythmics, antianginals, cardiac glycosides. Includes digoxin toxicity thresholds, which are high-yield across all seven GeckoMed universities.

Antimicrobials and Antibiotics Penicillins, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, tetracyclines, metronidazole, antifungals, antivirals. Dosing organised by class with spectrum of activity. Pairs with the antibiotic sensitivity chart and antibiotic classification chart.

CNS Drugs Anxiolytics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, opioid analgesics, general anaesthetic agents. Includes doses for phenytoin, carbamazepine, diazepam, haloperidol, and morphine.

Analgesics and NSAIDs Paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, COX-2 inhibitors, opioids. Pairs with the NSAID classification chart.

Endocrine and Metabolic Drugs Insulin types and regimens, oral antidiabetics (biguanides, sulfonylureas, SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists), thyroid drugs, corticosteroids. Pairs with the antidiabetic drugs classification chart.

Antihypertensives Full dose reference including first-line agents by indication, combination therapy principles, and drugs to avoid in specific conditions. Pairs with the antihypertensive drugs classification chart.

Obstetrics and Gynaecology Drugs Oxytocics, tocolytics, oral contraceptives, emergency contraception, drugs used in preeclampsia. High-yield for Final Year OBG exams.

Haematology Drugs Anticoagulants (heparin, warfarin, DOACs), thrombolytics, iron preparations, B12 and folic acid.

GI Drugs Proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, prokinetics, antidiarrheals, antiemetics, laxatives.

Respiratory Drugs Bronchodilators (SABA, LABA, ipratropium), inhaled corticosteroids, antitussives, antihistamines.

Why Use This Reference for MBBS Exams

It is exam-framed, not clinical-framed. Standard prescribing references are written for doctors making clinical decisions. The GeckoMed drug dosing reference is written to help MBBS students answer exam questions. Dose values, adverse effects, and interactions are selected and framed around what university Pharmacology papers actually test.

It maps to the NMC CBME Pharmacology syllabus. Every drug category corresponds to a topic in the Phase 2 Pharmacology syllabus, so you can use the reference alongside your subject notes without cross-referencing a separate textbook.

It is reviewed by subject matter experts. Dose data and clinical information in the GeckoMed reference is reviewed by Pharmacology faculty and cross-checked against standard MBBS textbooks. Errors are flagged and corrected before content is published.

It is integrated with study aids in the app. In the GeckoMed app, drug entries are linked to related classification charts, mnemonics, and PYQ references so you can move from a dose question to exam practice without switching tools.

When to Use the Drug Dosing Reference

During 2nd Year Pharmacology preparation. The Pharmacology written exam is one of the highest-fail-rate papers in Phase 2. Drug dose questions appear in both short answer and long answer sections across RGUHS, KNRUHS, TNMGRMU, and all other GeckoMed universities. Using the reference during topic revision helps build accurate dose memory early.

Before Pharmacology viva exams. Viva examiners routinely ask for doses, routes, and specific adverse effects. The GeckoMed reference formats each drug entry the way a viva answer should be structured: class, mechanism, dose, adverse effects, contraindications. See also Pharmacology viva preparation.

During clinical postings from 3rd Year onwards. As you rotate through clinical departments, you encounter drug names from Medicine, Surgery, OBG, and Paediatrics that were covered in your Pharmacology syllabus. The reference helps you connect classroom knowledge to clinical context during postings, which in turn reinforces exam recall.

For last-minute revision before Final Year professional exams. Final Year papers in General Medicine, General Surgery, OBG, and Paediatrics all include questions on drug management. The drug dosing reference lets you quickly review doses for conditions covered in these subjects without going back to first-year Pharmacology textbooks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GeckoMed drug dosing reference for MBBS students or for doctors?

It is written for MBBS students. The drug selection, dose values, and framing are based on the NMC CBME Pharmacology syllabus and what Indian university Pharmacology papers actually test. It is not a clinical prescribing reference and should not be used to make prescribing decisions.

Which MBBS subjects does the drug dosing reference cover?

The primary subject is Pharmacology (Phase 2 / 2nd Year). However, drugs from General Medicine, OBG, Paediatrics, and General Surgery are also included because Final Year written papers and clinical postings require recall of doses across multiple subjects.

How is the dose data verified?

Dose data in the GeckoMed reference is reviewed by Pharmacology faculty and cross-checked against standard MBBS textbooks used in Indian medical colleges. Content is updated when syllabus-relevant prescribing standards change.

Does the reference include paediatric doses?

Paediatric doses are included where they are part of the MBBS curriculum and commonly asked in university exams or Paediatrics viva. This covers drugs like paracetamol, amoxicillin, digoxin, phenobarbitone, and oral rehydration therapy.

How do I access the full drug dosing reference?

The complete reference is available in the GeckoMed app on Android and iOS. GeckoMed offers a 4-day free trial with full access, followed by an annual subscription.

Can I use this reference offline?

Yes. The GeckoMed app supports offline access, so you can refer to drug doses during clinical postings or while studying in areas with limited connectivity.