Real Life Pharmacology - Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals

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In this episode, we highlight some of the most important clinical pearls on the following medications; nitrofurantoin, fentanyl patches, isosorbide mononitrate, fluoxetine, and triamcinolone.

Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic used for UTIs. We need to be careful with this medication in patients with CKD.

Fentanyl is an opioid. There are many clinical quirks with fentanyl patches. For a full rundown, check out this previous podcast episode.

Isosorbide mononitrate is a nitrate medication so we need to be careful with the use of PDE-5 inhibitors.

Fluoxetine is an SSRI. It has a longer half-life than most SSRIs. I discuss what that means in this episode.

Triamcinolone (topical) is most frequently used for redness, itching, and skin irritation.

Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!

On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, I cover medications 51-55. They are eszopiclone, celecoxib, estrogen, moxifloxacin, and donepezil.

Eszopiclone is a “Z” drug used for insomnia. Its adverse effect profile is very similar to benzodiazepines.

Celecoxib is a COX-2 Inhibitor used for pain and inflammation. I discuss how this medication differs from traditional NSAIDs.

Estrogen therapy is used for menopausal symptoms but carries a risk of cancer and blood clots.

Moxifloxacin is a quinolone antibiotic. Binding drug interactions, boxed warnings, and QTc prolongation are potential concerns.

Donepezil is a medication used for dementia. I discuss its mechanism of action and common adverse effects.

Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!

On this episode, we continue with the Top 200 Drugs podcast. We cover the basics of the following drugs: tizanidine, risperidone, ramipril, pravastatin, and terazosin.

Tizanidine is a skeletal muscle relaxant that has drug interactions via CYP2D6

Risperidone is a 2nd generation antipsychotic. Be on the lookout for EPS, hyperprolactinemia, sedation, and metabolic syndrome.

Ramipril is an antihypertensive agent that is an ACE Inhibitor. Cough and hyperkalemia are two important adverse effects.

Pravastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor that lowers LDL levels. It isn’t as potent as other statins and I discuss this on the podcast episode.

Terazosin is a non-selective alpha-blocker that may be used for BPH and hypertension.

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Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!

On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, I continue my education on the top 200 drugs. Raloxifene, prednisone, phenytoin, fish oil, and ezetimibe are covered in this podcast episode.

Prednisone is a corticosteroid that may cause hyperglycemia, insomnia, GI upset, osteoporosis, HPA suppression, and hypertension as primary adverse effects.

Raloxifene is classified as a SERM and can be used for osteoporosis and breast cancer. DVT and hot flashes are significant adverse effect concerns.

Fish oil (Lovaza) is used to reduce triglycerides. Elevated triglycerides can increase the risk of pancreatitis.

Ezetimibe inhibits the absorption of cholesterol through the gut. It lowers LDL but not to the extent of statins.

Phenytoin is a narrow therapeutic index medication (NTI) that is used as an anticonvulsant. Ataxia, confusion, GI upset, and vertical nystagmus are potential signs of toxicity.

Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!

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Nursing Pharmacology Review Course

Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101

Pharmacy Technician Bootcamp (PTCB Exam Prep Course) – 4.8/5 star course rating

On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, I continue my coverage with the Top 200 Drugs Podcast. Here’s the list of medications we will cover.

Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!

NAPLEX Study Materials

BCPS Study Materials

BCACP Study Materials

BCGP Study Materials

BCMTMS Study Materials

Nursing Pharmacology Review Course

Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101

Pharmacy Technician Bootcamp (PTCB Exam Prep Course) – 4.8/5 star course rating

On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, I discuss drugs 31-35 of the top 200 drugs.

Ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone is a combined oral contraceptive used for birth control purposes.

Hydralazine is a direct vasodilatory that can be used for hypertension and heart failure.

Benztropine is an older anticholinergic medication originally indicated for Parkinson’s disease but most commonly used to manage EPS symptoms from dopamine-blocking agents such as antipsychotics.

Tussionex is a combination medication of chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone. It is used to help alleviate cough.

Paroxetine is an SSRI used for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders.

Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!

NAPLEX Study Materials

BCPS Study Materials

BCACP Study Materials

BCGP Study Materials

BCMTMS Study Materials

Nursing Pharmacology Review Course

Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101

Pharmacy Technician Bootcamp (PTCB Exam Prep Course) – 4.8/5 star course rating

On this episode of the Top 200 Drugs pharmacology podcast, I cover fluticasone nasal spray, allopurinol, alendronate, famotidine, and cefdinir.

Fluticasone is a corticosteroid that can be used nasally for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Allopurinol is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor used to reduce uric acid and prevent gout flares.

Alendronate is a bisphosphonate that inhibits the action of osteoclasts. This action helps treat osteoporosis.

Famotidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist that helps reduce gastric acid secretion and alleviate heartburn symptoms.

Cefdinir is a third-generation cephalosporin that is often used as an alternative for those who cannot take penicillin antibiotics. There is a small risk for cross-reactivity that a clinician has to consider.

Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!

NAPLEX Study Materials

BCPS Study Materials

BCACP Study Materials

BCGP Study Materials

BCMTMS Study Materials

Nursing Pharmacology Review Course

Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101

Pharmacy Technician Bootcamp (PTCB Exam Prep Course) – 4.8/5 star course rating

Lamotrigine is an antiseizure medication and also may be used for bipolar disorder. A rash is a major side effect to remember with this medication.

Valganciclovir is an antiviral medication that can be used to prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) in patients with a suppressed immune system.

Fluconazole is an azole antifungal that can be used to treat candidiasis, blastomycosis, and tinea infections. Drug interactions, QTc prolongation, and hepatotoxicity are potential risks.

Atenolol is a beta-blocker used to treat atrial fibrillation and hypertension. It is relatively selective for beta-1 receptors meaning that it doesn’t affect the lungs as much as non-selective agents.

Montelukast is a medication that blocks the actions of leukotrienes. This can be beneficial for the management of allergies and asthma.

Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!

NAPLEX Study Materials

BCPS Study Materials

BCACP Study Materials

BCGP Study Materials

BCMTMS Study Materials

Nursing Pharmacology Review Course

Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101

Pharmacy Technician Bootcamp (PTCB Exam Prep Course) – 4.8/5 star course rating

In this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, I cover drugs 16-20 of the top 200 drugs. This podcast includes information about clozapine, furosemide, heparin, tetracycline, and vardenafil.

Clozapine has five boxed warnings and these are all items that you may see on your pharmacology and board exams! I’ve also blogged about these in the past at meded101.

Furosemide is a loop diuretic and a common indicator of the prescribing cascade. I discuss this in this podcast episode.

Heparin can cause thrombocytopenia. I discuss what HIT (heparin-induced thrombocytopenia) may look like.

Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!

NAPLEX Study Materials

BCPS Study Materials

BCACP Study Materials

BCGP Study Materials

BCMTMS Study Materials

Nursing Pharmacology Review Course

Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101

Pharmacy Technician Bootcamp (PTCB Exam Prep Course) – 4.8/5 star course rating

Metformin is a medication used in the management of diabetes. It can cause significant diarrhea, B12 deficiency, and in rare cases, lactic acidosis.

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is a statin medication used for cholesterol management. It lowers LDL and is associated with myopathy.

Omeprazole is a PPI used for GERD and has drug interactions with citalopram and clopidogrel.

Ciprofloxacin is a quinolone antibiotic used to treat gram-negative infections and UTIs. It carries numerous risks such as tendon rupture.

Ondansetron is an antiemetic medication used in the management of nausea and vomiting. I discuss the prescribing cascade in relation to this medication.

Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!

NAPLEX Study Materials

BCPS Study Materials

BCACP Study Materials

BCGP Study Materials

BCMTMS Study Materials

Nursing Pharmacology Review Course

Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101

Pharmacy Technician Bootcamp (PTCB Exam Prep Course) – 4.8/5 star course rating