The Cephalosporins

• First Generation Cephahlosporins - Remember this story:

Mr. Fazol (ceFAZOLin) is a Lorry Driver (cephaLORIdine). He works very hard and has become Thin (cephaloTHIN) He has a "Rad" Watch on his hand (cephRADine) and a "Lux" soap (cephaLEXin). He wears a bright green Drawer {i.e trousers} ( cefaDROxil)

Route of drug administration: He will put the Lux soap in his Drawer - (Cefalexin & Cefradine are given orally. The latter can also be given i.v. /.i.m.. All others- i.v. /.i.m)

• Second Generation Cephalosporins: Remember FOX, FUR, FAC - ceFOXitin, ceFURoxime, ceFAClor

• Third Generation Cephalosporins - The story goes thus:

Mr. Aziz (ceftAZIdime) is taking an Ox (ceftizOXime, cefpodOXime) in a Taxi (cefoTAXIme) for slaughtering, i.e. an Operation (cefOPERAZONE). For this purpose he is taking Three Axon blades (cefTRIAXONe). He will Fix (ceFIXime) the ox for dinner (cefDINIR) in a short time!

Route of drug administration: Fix the price and eat (only Cefixime is given oral: all others im/iv).

ADRs: Operation will cause bleeding (Cefoperazone cause bleeding)

• Fourth Generation Cephalosporins:

My wierd dream:  QUEEN of ROME who FLEW to OZONE layer, fell down and was made IP (Inpatient) by ME. Helps you to remember fourth generation cephalosporins - Cefquinome, Cefpirome, Cefluprenam, Cefozopran, Cefipime.

Picture Mnemonic - Causes of Polyneuropathy

Causes of Polyneuropathy are marked in red. Read the story behind the picture shown:

The hero Mr. Guillain Barre is Diabetic (Remember D.D.D - Diabetes, Diptheria, Dapsone). He is researching on AIP (Acute intermittent porphyria). Mr. GB is a Christian (vinCRISTINe)- note him wearing a cross).

His CAR is parked outside (CARbon tetrachloride & CARcinoma).

Note the things in his room - Fan (PHENytoin), a big mosquito out to suck blood (Represents Chloroquine). On his table is a glass of water - it contains Arsenic.

His Daughter (represents Hereditary cause), in a night dress, stained with ANILINE DYE, is bringing something from the kitchen in a pan of LEAD. The poor girl has been suffering from HYPOTHYROIDISM for quite a few years. Mr GB is so busy with his research that doesnot have time to eat and has developed Nutritional Deficiency.