Anticholinesterases For The Anaesthetically Adept
Anticholinesterases for FRCA: mechanism of action, neostigmine pharmacology, muscarinic side effects, organophosphate poisoning, and acetylcholine synthesis at the NMJ.
19 Apr 2026
Pharmacology
57 episodes
Sugammadex For Anaesthetists
Sugammadex pharmacology for FRCA: mechanism, dosing by block depth, pharmacokinetics, anaphylaxis incidence, and the contraceptive interaction.
1 Apr 2026
Pancuronium For Anaesthetists
Pancuronium bromide: aminosteroid pharmacology, vagolytic cardiovascular effects, and Phase I vs Phase II neuromuscular blockade for FRCA preparation.
22 Mar 2026
Vecuronium For Anaesthetists
Vecuronium: aminosteroid non-depolarising neuromuscular blocker. Pharmacology, dosing, kinetics, cardiovascular profile, and monitoring for FRCA candidates.
26 Feb 2026
Cisatracurium For Anaesthetists
Cisatracurium is the 1R-cis, 1'R-cis isomer of atracurium — three times as potent, 'histamineless', and eliminated by Hofmann degradation regardless of organ function.
18 Feb 2026
Mivacurium For Anaesthetists
Mivacurium: plasma cholinesterase-metabolised NMB. FRCA: isomers, context-insensitive offset, histamine release, and cholinesterase deficiency.
1 Feb 2026
Oxygen for the FRCA Primary
Oxygen pharmacology for FRCA Primary: fractional distillation, cylinder pressures, oxygen toxicity, COPD hypercapnia, and BTS dosing targets.
22 Jan 2026
Nitrous Oxide for the FRCA Primary
Nitrous oxide pharmacology: MAC of 105%, NMDA receptor antagonism, diffusion hypoxia, vitamin B12 oxidation, Entonox, and the concentration effect.
9 Jan 2026
Ether, Enflurane and Explosions “barely for the FRCA”
Di-ethyl ether and enflurane: GABA-A volatile anaesthetic agents with high blood:gas partition coefficients, MAC values, side-effect profiles, and a guide to theatre fires, deflagration, and detonation for the FRCA.
29 Dec 2025
Desflurane for the FRCA and Vapourisers
Desflurane pharmacology for the FRCA: MAC, SVP, boiling point, Tec 6 vaporiser anatomy, temperature compensation, altitude effects, and why the NHS decommissioned it.
11 Dec 2025
Halothane For The 1963 Diploma in Anaesthesia
Halothane: physico-chemical properties, MAC, cardiovascular effects, and the two types of halothane hepatitis with mechanisms + (and fewer explosions).
27 Nov 2025
Hypnotica Chapter for the FRCA Primary
Hypnotic drugs for the FRCA Primary: propofol, ketamine, thiopentone, etomidate, midazolam, clonidine, and dexmedetomidine — pharmacology, mechanisms, and clinical use.
17 Nov 2025
Ep.46 – Sevoflurane For The FRCA Primary
Sevoflurane pharmacology for the FRCA Primary — physico-chemical properties, MAC (2.0%), pharmacodynamics, gas induction advantages, and Compound A degradation.
12 Nov 2025
Ep.45 – Isoflurane For The FRCA Primary
Isoflurane pharmacology for the FRCA Primary: physico-chemical properties, MAC, blood:gas solubility, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and Dalton's Law.
29 Oct 2025
Ep.44 – Introduction to Volatile Anaesthetic Agents For The FRCA Primary
Volatile anaesthetic agents — SVP, blood-gas and oil-gas partition coefficients, MAC, and wash-in curves — explained for FRCA Primary candidates.
17 Oct 2025
Ep.43 –Clonidine For The FRCA Primary
Clonidine is a partial alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist. Covers mechanism, biphasic cardiovascular effects, kinetics, and ITU sedation — essential FRCA Primary pharmacology.
3 Oct 2025
Ep.42– Dexmedetomidine For The FRCA Primary
Dexmedetomidine (Dexdor) is a highly selective α2-adrenoceptor agonist producing cooperative sedation without respiratory depression — FRCA pharmacology with dosing and clinical applications.
26 Sept 2025
Ep.41 –Midazolam For The FRCA Primary
Midazolam for FRCA Primary: GABA-A positive allosteric modulator, 96% protein-bound, CYP3A4 hepatic metabolism. Anterograde amnesia, MAC-sparing, dosing by route, flumazenil reversal.
17 Sept 2025
Ep.40 – Etomidate For The FRCA Primary
Etomidate inhibits 11β-hydroxylase, causing adrenal suppression for 24–48 hours after a single dose. FRCA pharmacology: mechanism, kinetics, and cardiovascular stability.
12 Sept 2025
Ep.39 – Classifying Isomers For The FRCA Primary
Stereochemistry and isomer classification for the FRCA Primary: structural, geometric, and optical isomers — levobupivacaine and S-ketamine explained.
5 Sept 2025
Local Anaesthetics for the FRCA Primary — Complete Series Guide
Complete FRCA Primary guide to local anaesthetics: sodium channel pharmacology, amide vs ester classification, individual drug profiles, LAST management, and perineural adjuncts.
30 Aug 2025
Ep.38 – Perineural Adjuncts to Local Anaesthetics – FRCA Primary
Perineural adjuncts prolong regional blocks but are off-license. Covers dexamethasone, clonidine, and dexmedetomidine, — mechanisms, efficacy, and FRCA viva.
29 Aug 2025
Ep.37a: Comparing Local Anaesthetics For The FRCA Primary
Pharmacological comparison of amide and ester local anaesthetics — onset, duration, cardiotoxicity, and maximum doses — for FRCA Primary candidates.
25 Aug 2025
Ep.37b: Local Anaesthetic Quiz For The FRCA Primary
Local anaesthetic pharmacology quiz for FRCA Primary: mechanism, amide vs ester classification, pKa, protein binding, max doses, toxicity, and Intralipid rescue.
25 Aug 2025
Ep.36: Local Anaesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST) For the FRCA Primary
LAST pharmacology, recognition, and intralipid management for the FRCA Primary — mechanism, dosing protocol, and three viva-ready question frameworks.
14 Aug 2025
Ep.35 – Ropivacaine For The FRCA Primary
Ropivacaine pharmacology for FRCA Primary: S-enantiomer structure, differential motor blockade, cardiotoxicity comparison with bupivacaine, and max dose.
7 Aug 2025
Almost Everything You Need to Know About Opioids for the FRCA Primary Exam
Complete opioid pharmacology series for the FRCA Primary: receptor mechanisms, PK/PD profiles, neuraxial kinetics, and viva decision-making for all major opioids.
4 Aug 2025
Ep.34 – Lidocaine For The FRCA Primary
Lidocaine: amide local anaesthetic, class 1b antiarrhythmic, IV infusion agent. Mechanism, dosing, TNS risk, and LAST management for the FRCA Primary.
30 Jul 2025
Ep.33 – Prilocaine For The FRCA Primary
Prilocaine pharmacology for FRCA Primary: mechanism of sodium channel blockade, methaemoglobinaemia risk, spinal dosing, EMLA composition, and TNS data.
23 Jul 2025
Ep.32 – Cocaine For the FRCA Primary
Cocaine pharmacology for the FRCA Primary: ester local anaesthetic, sympathomimetic mechanism, ENT clinical use, cocaethylene, and toxicity management.
17 Jul 2025
Ep.31 – Bupivacaine for the FRCA Primary Exam
Bupivacaine pharmacology for the FRCA Primary: sodium channel blockade, cardiotoxicity, CC:CNS ratio, dosing, additives, and levobupivacaine — the safer S-enantiomer.
8 Jul 2025
Ep.30 – Local Anaesthetic Fundamentals for the FRCA Primary
Local anaesthetics block voltage-gated sodium channels. This episode covers pKa, nerve fibre classification, ester–amide pharmacology, and LAST management.
25 Jun 2025
Ep.29 – Comparing Opioids For the FRCA Primary
Comparing opioids for the FRCA Primary: pharmacokinetics, context-sensitive half-time, neuraxial selection, renal failure prescribing, and receptor pharmacology.
17 Jun 2025
Ep.28 – Remifentanil and the Minto Model
Remifentanil pharmacology for the FRCA: ester hydrolysis, context-sensitive half-time, opioid-induced hyperalgesia, and the Minto TCI model effect-site targets.
9 Jun 2025
Ep.26 – Neuraxial Opiate Kinetics
Neuraxial opioid pharmacology for FRCA: lipid solubility, pKa, and molecular weight govern epidural and intrathecal behaviour of morphine, fentanyl, and diamorphine.
1 Jun 2025
Ep 25 – Diamorphine
Diamorphine pharmacology for the FRCA Primary: mechanism of action at mu opioid receptors, pro-drug metabolism to 6-O-acetylmorphine, neuraxial use, and M6G accumulation in renal failure.
29 May 2025
Ep 25 – Oxycodone for the FRCA Primary
Oxycodone: semi-synthetic opioid, 60–87 % oral bioavailability, CYP3A4/2D6 metabolism, and equipotency conversions for FRCA Primary pharmacology.
22 May 2025
Ep 24 – Methadone for the FRCA Primary
Methadone pharmacology for FRCA Primary: µ-opioid agonist, NMDA antagonist, CYP3A4/2D6 metabolism, QT prolongation, and opioid substitution therapy.
10 May 2025
Ep 23 – Tramadol for the FRCA Primary Exam
Tramadol pharmacology for the FRCA Primary: multimodal mechanism (mu-opioid, noradrenaline, serotonin), CYP2D6 metabolism, active metabolite, serotonin syndrome.
7 May 2025
Ep.22 – Alfentanil for the FRCA Primary
Alfentanil is a short-acting μ-opioid receptor agonist used in RSI, ICU sedation, and acute analgesia — FRCA Primary pharmacology examined in full.
28 Apr 2025
Ep 18 – Poly-Compartmental Madness – Part Two
Multi-compartmental pharmacokinetic models, context-sensitive half time, and the effect site explained for FRCA Primary candidates.
20 Jan 2025
Ep 17 – Multi-Compartmental Model – Part One: Half-Life, Time Constant and Bi-Exponential Decay
Pharmacokinetic compartment models for FRCA: half-life, time constant, bi-exponential decay, and Fick's Law — the foundation of TCI dosing.
8 Jan 2025
Ep 16 – Suxamethonium for the FRCA Primary Exam
Suxamethonium: depolarising neuromuscular blocker, 30 s onset. FRCA pharmacology — mechanism, side effects, sux apnoea, malignant hyperthermia.
29 Nov 2024
Ep 15 – Morphine for the FRCA Primary Exam
Morphine for the FRCA Primary: mu-opioid receptor mechanism, pharmacokinetics, M3G/M6G metabolites, and intrathecal delayed respiratory depression.
22 Nov 2024
Ep 14 – Ketamine for the FRCA
Ketamine pharmacology for the FRCA Primary: NMDA receptor antagonism, dissociative anaesthesia, dosing, pharmacokinetics, and cardiovascular effects.
17 Nov 2024
Ep 12 – Comparing Volatiles for the FRCA
Compare sevoflurane, isoflurane and desflurane for the FRCA: MAC values, blood:gas and oil:gas partition coefficients, SVP, boiling points, and global warming potential.
11 Nov 2024
Ep 9 – Atracurium For The FRCA Primary
Atracurium: benzylisoquinolinium NMB with Hofmann elimination. Organ-independent clearance, dosing, side effects, and laudanosine — FRCA Primary pharmacology.
9 Nov 2024
Ep 11 – Minimum Alveolar Concentration (MAC) and Partition Coefficients
Minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), blood:gas and oil:gas partition coefficients, wash-in curves, and MAC variants explained for FRCA Primary candidates.
9 Nov 2024
Ep 10 – Michaelis-Menten Enzyme Kinetics & Law of Mass action
Michaelis-Menten kinetics explain enzyme saturation, Km, Vmax, and the transition between first-order and zero-order kinetics — core FRCA Primary pharmacology.
9 Nov 2024
Ep 8 – Thiopentone For The FRCA Primary
Thiopentone pharmacology for FRCA Primary: GABA-A mechanism, tautomerism, zero-order kinetics, cardiovascular and CNS effects, contraindications, and RSI use.
9 Nov 2024
Ep 7 – Compartmentalised Volatiles and a brief jaunt with Sevoflurane
Sevoflurane pharmacokinetics for FRCA: wash-in, wash-out, compartmental distribution, blood-gas partition coefficient, MAC factors, and low-flow technique.
8 Nov 2024
Ep 3 – Fentanyl For The FRCA Primary
Fentanyl pharmacology for FRCA Primary: mu-opioid receptor mechanism, pharmacokinetics, opioid receptor subtypes (MOP/DOP/KOP/NOP), and clinical dosing.
8 Nov 2024
Ep 6 – Hepatic Clearance For The FRCA Primary
Hepatic clearance, extraction ratio, and intrinsic clearance explained for the FRCA Primary — how hepatic blood flow and protein binding govern drug elimination.
8 Nov 2024
Ep 2 – Propofol for the FRCA Primary
Propofol pharmacology for FRCA: GABA-A mechanism, three-compartment kinetics, propofol infusion syndrome (PRIS), and TIVA dosing.
8 Nov 2024
Ep 1 – Rocuronium For The FRCA Primary
Rocuronium pharmacology for FRCA Primary: mechanism of action, dosing, pharmacokinetics, sugammadex reversal, and neuromuscular junction.
8 Nov 2024
Ep 4 – Volume of Distribution For The FRCA Primary
Volume of distribution (Vd) is a core FRCA pharmacokinetic concept — a theoretical apparent volume explaining why drugs distribute differently across patients and tissues.
8 Nov 2024
Ep 5 – pKa For The FRCA Primary
pKa is the pH at which a drug is 50% ionised and 50% unionised. Governing onset speed, membrane crossing, and local anaesthetic behaviour. Essential for the FRCA Primary.
8 Nov 2024