Best Review Book for Pharmacology (2026): 4 Picks Compared

The best review book for pharmacology is the one that matches the exam you are actually taking, because a nursing drug guide and a board review drill different skills. This list is for medical, nursing and pharmacy students comparing concise reviews against illustrated references, using only what each listing publishes. Every pick below names its edition, page count and publisher where the listing states them.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Lippincott Pharmacology by Whalen	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	NCLEX Medication Review by Kaplan	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Made Ridiculously Simple by Olson	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Top 200 Drugs Simplified by Burns	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Lippincott Pharmacology by Whalen

Karen Whalen PharmD BCPS·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For a medical student who wants an illustrated pharmacology review with hundreds of illustrations in its 8th edition.

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Pros

• 704 pages, the longest book here
• Hundreds of illustrations breaking down mechanisms
• 8th edition from October 2022

Cons

• Listing gives a reading age of 1 year and up, which does not fit the book
• Spec table lists Anatomy as the subject
• No practice question count is stated

2

NCLEX Medication Review by Kaplan

Kaplan Nursing·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For a nursing student preparing for the NCLEX with 300+ medications in flashcard style.

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Pros

• 300+ frequently prescribed medications
• Flashcard-style pages grouped by category
• 10th edition from September 2023

Cons

• Aimed at the NCLEX, less general as a pharmacology review
• No practice question count is stated
• No illustrations are stated

3

Made Ridiculously Simple by Olson

James Olson M.D. Ph.D.·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For a medical student who wants a concise color review of clinical pharmacology with drug charts.

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Pros

• Color edition with drug comparisons in chart format
• Concise overview at 184 pages
• 6th edition from January 2024

Cons

• No practice question count is stated
• 184 pages, the shortest book here
• No illustration count is stated

4

Top 200 Drugs Simplified by Burns

P. Burns, PharmD·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For a visual learner who wants the top 200 drugs with coloring illustrations and memory aids.

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Pros

• Top 200 drugs with custom coloring illustrations
• Focus on medication generics
• Picture mnemonics for names and prefixes

Cons

• Coloring format is less direct as a board review
• No edition is stated
• No practice question count is stated

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More picks to compare

• Pharmacology Review Workbook by MeloniWorkbook with over 350 questions, 118 pages, from 2022.Check on Amazon
• NCLEX-RN Pharmacology Review by Hill1st edition from 2019, 356 pages, for NCLEX-RN.Check on Amazon
• Katzung & Trevor's Pharmacology Review14th edition from 2024, 624 pages, two 100-MCQ tests.Check on Amazon
• PreTest Pharmacology by Shlafer13th edition from 2010, 558 pages, 500 USMLE-type questions.Check on Amazon
• Pharmacology Guide for Nursing Students1st edition from 2026, 255 pages, written for nurses.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, and value; the reading age or level component counts only where a listing states one. One of the four picks states a reading age, and it does not fit the book, so that component is low across the list. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best review book for pharmacology

Match the book to the exam

The NCLEX Medication Review lists 300+ medications in flashcard style for nursing exam prep, while the Made Ridiculously Simple listing describes a USMLE board review of clinical pharmacology. The Lippincott covers medical pharmacology with hundreds of illustrations, and the Top 200 Drugs Simplified focuses on the top 200 drugs with memory aids. For a related medical certification list, see the best review book for med surg certification.

Check the edition, the pages and the pictures

Edition years run from October 2022 to November 2025, so confirm the year on the listing before ordering. Page counts run from 184 to 704 pages: the Lippincott is the longest book here by far, while the Made Ridiculously Simple is a concise 184-page color review. If illustrations drive your learning, the Lippincott and the Top 200 Drugs coloring book state them; the other two do not. More exam prep lists are under graduate test prep.

Before you buy

• Check the edition year: the picks range from an 8th edition of October 2022 to a November 2025 publication.
• Confirm the question practice: the listings differ on practice questions, and no pick states a question total.
• Watch for listing errors: the Lippincott lists a reading age of 1 year and up, which does not fit a pharmacology review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which review book is best for the USMLE?

The Made Ridiculously Simple listing describes a USMLE board review of clinical pharmacology. The Lippincott is described as a review of medical pharmacology for students.

Which book has the most pages?

The Lippincott at 704 pages, then the NCLEX Medication Review at 336 pages, Top 200 Drugs at 330 pages and Made Ridiculously Simple at 184 pages.

Do these books include practice questions?

The listings state little about practice questions: the Lippincott mentions review features and the NCLEX book uses flashcard-style pages, but no pick states a question total.

Still deciding? Our top pickLippincott Pharmacology by Whalen

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Related lists

See every licensing and certification list and all test prep lists. Also see our best review book for med surg certification. Also see our graduate test prep lists.

More lists: college admission test prep, workbooks and homeschool and nonfiction books.