GameChangers

The efficacy of antiretroviral therapy has led to persons with HIV living a near-normal lifespan. But medications only work when used appropriately. The International Antiviral Society-USA Panel published updated recommendations for the treatment and prevention of HIV infections. Treatment of HIV may be distilled into a simple idea - two "nucs" and something else. Learn how to optimize care for your patients.

This episode is accredited for CPE. Subscribe at CEimpact (https://www.ceimpact.com/pharmacist) and claim your CE today!

Reference: Saag MS, Gandhi RT, Hoy JF, et al. Antiretroviral drugs for treatment and prevention of HIV infection in adults: 2020 recommendations of the International Antiviral Society-USA Panel. JAMA. 2020;324(16):1651-1669. Available at: https://www.iasusa.org/2020/11/12/antiretroviral-drugs-treatment-prevention-hiv-infection-adults-2020-recommendations-of-the-international-antiviral-society-usa-panel/ 

The CE for this episode is supported by an educational grant from Xellia Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on providing important anti-infective treatments against serious and often life-threatening infections. 

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Clostridioides difficile is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States with over 500,000 infections annually. The Infectious Disease Society of America released a clinical quality measure focused on treatment of c diff in March 2020. A review of the diagnosis and treatment will help providers improve quality.

This episode is accredited for CPE. Subscribe at CEimpact (https://www.ceimpact.com/pharmacist) and claim your CE today!

The CE for this episode is supported by an educational grant from Xellia Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on providing important anti-infective treatments against serious and often life-threatening infections. 

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The question of acetaminophen versus ibuprofen may finally be laid to rest. A recent meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of ibuprofen versus acetaminophen for the treatment of fever or pain in children younger than 2 years. Is there a drug of choice?

Reference: Tan E, Braithwaite I, McKinlay CJD, Dalziel SR. Comparison of Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) With Ibuprofen for Treatment of Fever or Pain in Children Younger Than 2 Years: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(10):e2022398. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.22398

This episode is accredited for CPE. Subscribe at CEimpact (https://www.ceimpact.com/pharmacist) and claim your CE today!

The CE for this episode is supported by an educational grant from Xellia Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on providing important anti-infective treatments against serious and often life-threatening infections. 

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In the never ending battle with COVID-19, new studies have demonstrated a role for IVIG in the treatment of acute COVID-19 pneumonia, the potential benefit of honey and black seed in mild to moderate COVID-19, and the efficacy of an mRNA vaccine. What does this all mean for current practice?

Additional References:

IVIG: Gharebaghi, N., Nejadrahim, R., Mousavi, S.J. et al. The use of intravenous immunoglobulin gamma for the treatment of severe coronavirus disease 2019: a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial. BMC Infect Dis 20, 786 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-020-05507-4 

Honey: Ashraf S, Ashraf S, Imran M, et al. Efficacy of honey and Nigella sativa against COVID-19: HNS-COVID-PK Trial. medRxiv 2020.10.30.20217364; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.30.20217364 

Cleveland Clinic Hospitalization Risk for COVID-19 Positive Calculator: https://riskcalc.org/COVID19Hospitalization/ 

Cleveland Clinic Predict COVID-19 test result Calculator: https://riskcalc.org/COVID19/ 

This episode is accredited for CPE. Subscribe at CEimpact https://www.ceimpact.com/pharmacist and claim your CE today!

The CE for this episode is supported by an educational grant from Xellia Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on providing important anti-infective treatments against serious and often life-threatening infections. 

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Atopic Dermatitis is not extensively taught in pharmacy curriculum. With several international medical societies publishing updated guidelines and newly approved medications, it's time for a review. Clinicians can learn ways to help treat patients under the skin.

This episode is accredited for CPE. Subscribe at CEimpact (https://www.ceimpact.com/pharmacist) and claim your CE today!

The CE for this episode is supported by an educational grant from Xellia Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on providing important anti-infective treatments against serious and often life-threatening infections. 

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The opioid epidemic is helping reduce prescriptions for opioid-based pharmacotherapy. However, parallel to this drop has been an increase in gabapentin and pregabalin prescriptions.  Why has this occurred and what should the clinician know about this phenomenon?

Additional Resources/References: Trends, Patient and Prescriber Characteristics in Gabapentinoid Use in a Sample of United States Ambulatory Care Visits from 2003 to 2016. Zhou L, Bhattacharjee S, Kwoh CK, Tighe PJ, Malone DC, Slack M, Wilson DL, Brown JD, Lo-Ciganic WH. J Clin Med. 2019 Dec 29;9(1):83. doi:10.3390/jcm9010083.

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Sodium Glucose Co-Transporter-2 Inhibitors, a medication class for the treatment of diabetes, is now showing benefits in other medical conditions, like heart failure and kidney disease. Is this a class effect?

Additional Resources/References: McGuire DK, Shih WJ, Cosentino F, et al. Association of SGLT2 Inhibitors With Cardiovascular and Kidney Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Meta-analysis . JAMA Cardiol. Published online October 07, 2020. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2020.4511

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Vancomycin, despite being around for decades, keeps having updates to dosing, formulations, and monitoring. It's important to stay updated on this vital medication for hospital and infusion center practitioners. Are you ready for the changes?

Additional Resources/References: https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/vancomycin/

This episode is accredited for CPE. Subscribe at CEimpact (https://www.ceimpact.com/pharmacist) and claim your CE today!

The CE for this episode is supported by an educational grant from Xellia Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on providing important anti-infective treatments against serious and often life-threatening infections. 

 

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A recently published Serial cross-sectional analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data has been published suggesting that overall blood pressure control in adults with hypertension over the last 4 years has declined.

Why is this? What tips can the pharmacist and prescriber use to improve control? Can these professionals work together to improve BP control? Can we survive under pressure?

Additional Resources/References: Muntner P, Hardy ST, Fine LJ, et al. Trends in Blood Pressure Control Among US Adults With Hypertension, 1999-2000 to 2017-2018. JAMA. 2020;324(12):1190–1200. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.14545

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The LoDoCo2 Trial suggested that colchicine may improve outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease. Can a 3,000 year old drug still be a miracle?

Additional Resources/References: Nidorf SM, Fiolet ATL, Mosterd A, et al; LoDoCo2 Trial Investigators. Colchicine in Patients with Chronic Coronary Disease. N Engl J Med. 2020 Aug 31. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2021372. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 32865380.

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