Real Life Pharmacology - Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals

By Eric Christianson, PharmD; Pharmacology Expert and Clinical PharmacistMedicine Health & Fitness Education

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Real Life Pharmacology - Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals episodes

March 05, 2020 Alendronate Pharmacology
Alendronate is a bisphosphonate that is used in the management of osteoporosis.

In this episode, I discuss osteonecrosis risk and what are some of the risk factors that may increase the chances of this very rare adverse effect.

Binding interactions are so critical with alendronate. They can essentially make the drug useless.

Esophageal irritation and ulceration is one of the possible complications with the use of alendronate.
13 min
February 27, 2020 Diazepam Pharmacology
Diazepam has numerous dosage forms. There are rectal, injectable, and oral formulations of the drug that are commonly used in clinical practice.
Diazepam has 2 major metabolic pathways. It is broken down primarily by CYP3A4 and CYP2C19, leaving open the potential for numerous drug interactions. I discuss this further in the podcast.
Diazepam is on the Beers list because it has a tendency to accumulate in the geriatric patient population and cause adverse effects like sedation, confusion, and falls.
Respiratory depression, coma, and death are significantly more likely in overdose situations where opioids are used in combination with benzodiazepines like diazepam.
Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!

16 min
February 27, 2020 Diazepam Pharmacology
Diazepam has numerous dosage forms. There are rectal, injectable, and oral formulations of the drug that are commonly used in clinical practice.

Diazepam has 2 major metabolic pathways. It is broken down primarily by CYP3A4 and CYP2C19, leaving open the potential for numerous drug interactions. I discuss this further in the podcast.

Diazepam is on the Beers list because it has a tendency to accumulate in the geriatric patient population and cause adverse effects like sedation, confusion, and falls.

Respiratory depression, coma, and death are significantly more likely in overdose situations where opioids are used in combination with benzodiazepines like diazepam.
16 min
February 20, 2020 Dicyclomine Pharmacology
Dicyclomine is an anticholinergic agent that is used to help manage GI pain associated with IBS.
Dicyclomine has a very short half-life which means that it can be dosed multiple times per day.
Be careful with patients who have predominant constipation with their IBS as dicyclomine can exacerbate this.
Bentyl is the brand name of dicyclomine. This drug blocks the action of acetylcholine.
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!

15 min
February 20, 2020 Dicyclomine Pharmacology
Dicyclomine is an anticholinergic agent that is used to help manage GI pain associated with IBS.

Dicyclomine has a very short half-life which means that it can be dosed multiple times per day.

Be careful with patients who have predominant constipation with their IBS as dicyclomine can exacerbate this.

Bentyl is the brand name of dicyclomine. This drug blocks the action of acetylcholine.
15 min
February 13, 2020 Diltiazem Pharmacology
Diltiazem is a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that can be used in atrial fibrillation as well as hypertension.
One big downside to diltiazem is that it does have a few drug interactions via CYP3A4.
Aripiprazole, apixaban, and certain statins are all examples of medication that can have concentrations increased by adding diltiazem to a patient’s regimen.
Diltiazem works a little differently from dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (like amlodipine) as it works on the heart AND the vessels.
Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!

15 min
February 13, 2020 Diltiazem Pharmacology
Diltiazem is a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that can be used in atrial fibrillation as well as hypertension.

One big downside to diltiazem is that it does have a few drug interactions via CYP3A4.

Aripiprazole, apixaban, and certain statins are all examples of medication that can have concentrations increased by adding diltiazem to a patient's regimen.

Diltiazem works a little differently from dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (like amlodipine) as it works on the heart AND the vessels.
15 min
February 06, 2020 Zolpidem Pharmacology
Zolpidem enhances the action of GABA which is an inhibitor neurotransmitter.
Zolpidem metabolism can be impacted by the use of CYP3A4 inhibitors. Concentrations can rise on account of this potential interaction.
It is important to remember to go slowly when tapering off zolpidem. Particularly in patients who have been on the drug for a long time or those who are on higher doses.
Abnormal sleeping behaviors like sleep-walking, eating, or driving have been reported with zolpidem.
Remember that CNS depressant drug interactions can happen with zolpidem. Take note of any other sedating medications prior to starting zolpidem.
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!

16 min
February 06, 2020 Zolpidem Pharmacology
Zolpidem enhances the action of GABA which is an inhibitor neurotransmitter.

Zolpidem metabolism can be impacted by the use of CYP3A4 inhibitors. Concentrations can rise on account of this potential interaction.

It is important to remember to go slowly when tapering off zolpidem. Particularly in patients who have been on the drug for a long time or those who are on higher doses.

Abnormal sleeping behaviors like sleep-walking, eating, or driving have been reported with zolpidem.

Remember that CNS depressant drug interactions can happen with zolpidem. Take note of any other sedating medications prior to starting zolpidem.
16 min
January 30, 2020 Oral Semaglutide Pharmacology
On this episode, I discuss the pharmacology of oral semaglutide. It is a GLP-1 agonist that is the first one in the class to have an oral formulation.
There is a recommended dose titration with oral semaglutide that can take a month or two to get therapeutic doses. I disucss this further in this episode.
The most common adverse effect of oral semaglutide is nausea.
Oral semaglutide is dosed once daily which is nice to try to maximize patient adherence.
Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!

14 min