USMLE Step 1

USMLE Step 1 QUESTION of the DAY!

Bleomycin is used primarily for genitourinary cancers as well as lymphomas, and stands as one of the drugs of choice for testicular cancer. The major side effect associated with its use is:

A) Pulmonary fibrosis
B) Cardiotoxicity
C) Hemorrhagic cystitis
D) Peripheral neuropathy
E) Renal Toxicity

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Answer: A) Pulmonary fibrosis is the major side effect of Bleomycin. Other cancer drug side effects include Doxorubicin- cardiotoxicity, cyclophosphamide- hemorrhagic cystitis, vincristine- peripheral neuropathy, cisplatin- renal toxicity.


USMLE Step 1 D.O.C. of the DAY!

Drug of choice for

Treponema pallidum causing syphilis

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Penicillin G


USMLE Step 1 Fact of the DAY!

Drug Profile:
Chloroquine- general drug of choice for prophylaxis of malaria for general population (other drugs can be used)
- can be used to treat malaria (EXCEPT P.Falciparum)
Kills malaria 4 ways:
- inhibits plasmodia DNA synthesis
- transforms heme into a toxin so plasmodia are poisoned when they ingest it
- forms complexes that lyse the plasmodia and the RBC’s that it’s in
- alkalizes the plasmodia food vacuole- inhibiting organism’s growth
many ADR’s: including GI problems, tinnitus, nerve deafness, retinopathy