Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have had Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews: Pharmacology, 4th Edition (Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews Series) for my entire second year of medical school. I recently purchased this book, and although I can't give a thorough post-Step 1 review yet, I do prefer studying (for exams and Step 1) from this book rather than Lippincott's.
The chapters are more lined up with the way my pharmacology class is set up, and it (briefly) includes lower-yield topics covered on my exams but not heavily emphasized on the Step 1. These topics are readily identifiable, however. The book itself includes an alphabetical listing of the 200 or so most tested drugs on Step 1, along with a brief description of the mechanism of action, toxicity, and the corresponding chapter or chapters that discuss this drug. Within each chapter, key drugs are listed in table format. Lippincott's seems less organized, and each chapter is organized differently than the next, making it more difficult to orient yourself when moving on to subsequent chapters.
This book does a better job integrating other relevant subjects into the chapter. For example, there is a decent immunology review in the chapter that discusses immune modifying drugs. Also, in every chapter you will find "Skill-Keeper" questions that test your comprehension of previous chapters. Very helpful, and lacking in Lippincott's
Katzung also has 10-15 (roughly) end-of-chapter review questions, along with two 120 question comprehensive exams, for a total of nearly 3 times as many questions as in Lippicott's. Some people may not need questions, but I do. They show me what I do know and create the desire to learn (and remember) what I don't. These questions are difficult and useful as a study aid even after you have used them to quiz yourself.
Katzung also has helpful figures and tables on nearly every page to satisfy visual learners like myself. While they are not as good as Lippincott's (which is in full color, unlike the black and blue format of Katzung), they are helpful.
All in all, you can't go wrong with either one. Both are A- in First Aid. I simply prefer Katzung because of the list of 200 most commonly tested drugs and the numerous questions and 2 comprehensive exams at the end. Lippincott's 4th edition was published more recently, though, and I have noticed that it includes some newer drugs that aren't in this book. I've been told new drugs are fair game, so that is something to keep in mind.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Katzung & Trevor's Pharmacology Examination and Board Review: Eighth Edition (LANGE Basic Science)
The bestselling USMLE study tool -- packed with everything you need to ace the exam on your first try
4 STAR DOODY'S REVIEW!"This is one of the better board review books in pharmacology and it closely follows the most widely used textbook for teaching pharmacology . . . This eighth edition is needed to keep pace with this rapidly growing discipline." -- Doody's Review Service
From the authors of the leading pharmacology textbook comes the newest edition of the best pharmacology review in the field. Ideal for medical pharmacology course review and USMLE Step 1 preparation, this skill-building guide comes with more than 1000 USMLE-type questions with answers -- nearly 3 times as many as any other pharmacology review!
Features:
A concise yet thorough review of basic and clinical pharmacology, covering every must-know concept
Organized to reflect course syllabi, focusing on the clinical use and pharmacology of drug categories rather than individual drugs
Two USMLE-style Practice Exams with 120 questions each
In each chapter, "Skill Keepers" sharpen your recall of key principles from earlier chapters
A series of 15-20 USMLE-style questions in each chapter
Key terms with definitions
Strategies for improving test performance
A detailed index and appendices allow you to look up drugs and side effects in an instant
All chapters fully updated with the latest drug information
Numerous figures and tables, such as those designed to delineate the differences between similar drugs
(20081118)
