Real Life Pharmacology - Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals

On this episode, I discuss palivizumab pharmacology and how it is used in pediatric patients.

Palivizumab is a monoclonal antibody that is used to prevent RSV infections in pediatric patients.

Palivizumab is an IM injection that is dosed by weight. Learn more on this podcast episode.

RSV can be devastating in pediatric patients under the age of two. Palivizumab can be used in select populations to help prevent the infection.

Injection and skin reactions are possible with the use of palivizumab.

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

I discuss important drug interactions on the podcast, be sure to check out my latest project which is a 200+ page book on managing drug interactions in primary care.

Varenicline is a partial nicotine agonist that can be used to help patients quit smoking.

The two most common adverse effects that I have seen in clinical practice with varenicline are GI upset and insomnia/vivid dreams.

GI upset with varenicline can be reduced by giving the drug with food and a full glass of water. A dose reduction may also be considered.

Patients should identify a goal stop date for smoking cessation prior to begininng the use of varenicline.

I discuss important drug interactions on the podcast, be sure to check out my latest project which is a 200+ page book on managing drug interactions in primary care.

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

Diphenhydramine is a first generation antihistamine that is highly anticholinergic.

When using medications like diphenhydramine, be sure to watch for side effects like dry eyes, dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, and CNS changes.

Sedation is a primary effect of diphenhydramine. It can be advantageous in certain situations, and detrimental in others.

Drugs like donepezil, memantine, laxatives, tamsulosin, and artificial tears can be indicators of anticholinergic side effects from diphenhydramine.

I discuss important drug interactions on the podcast, be sure to check out my latest project which is a 200+ page book on managing drug interactions in primary care.

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 RLP podcast, I discuss fluconazole pharmacology.

Fluconazole prevents fungi from producing essential components for their cell membrane and thus inhibits their growth.

Drug interactions are common with fluconazole. Fluconazole inhibits CYP3A4, 2C9, and 2C19 to varying degrees.

I discuss an interaction between fluconazole and phenytoin in this podcast episode.

Hepatitis has rarely been reported with the use of azole antifungals like fluconazole.

I discuss important drug interactions on the podcast, be sure to check out my latest project which is a 200+ page book on managing drug interactions in primary care.

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 RLP podcast, I discuss levetiracetam pharmacology.

Levetiracetam is indicated for numerous types of seizures and possibly works by enhancing GABA activity.

Sedation and dizziness are two common adverse effects of levetiracetam.

On this episode, I discuss when and if we might do levetiracetam levels.

Levetiracetam tends to have much fewer drug interactions compared to older agents like phenytoin and carbamazepine.

I discuss important drug interactions on the podcast, be sure to check out my latest project which is a 200+ page book on managing drug interactions in primary care.

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

In this episode of the RLP podcast, I discuss scopolamine pharmacology.

Scopolamine patches can be used in the management of motion sickness and surgery/anesthesia induced nausea and vomiting.

Transdermal scopolamine has a slow onset of action so we need to be deliberate about the timing of placement (usually 4-6 hours prior to anticipated time of symptoms).

Transdermal scopolamine is highly anticholinergic and can cause dry eyes, dry mouth, urinary retention, and confusion.

I discuss important drug interactions on the podcast, be sure to check out my latest project which is a 200+ page book on managing drug interactions in primary care.

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 RLP podcast, I discuss tamsulosin pharmacology.

Tamsulosin inhibits alpha receptors which helps improve urine flow in patients with BPH.

As an off-label use, you may see tamsulosin used to try to aid in the passage of renal stones.

Tamsulosin concentrations may be increased by CYP3A4 inhibitors and reduced by CYP3A4 inducers.

I discuss important drug interactions on the podcast, be sure to check out my latest project which is a 200+ page book on managing drug interactions in primary care.

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 RLP podcast, I discuss finasteride pharmacology.

Finasteride can be used in the management of BPH or male pattern baldness.

By reducing overall androgen burden, finasteride can help to shrink the prostate and improve BPH symptoms.

Finasteride takes a long time to work, so this is an important education point for patients.

I discuss important drug interactions on the podcast, be sure to check out my latest project which is a 200+ page book on managing drug interactions in primary care.

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