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

June 27, 2019 Sulfasalazine Pharmacology
Sulfasalazine is a medication that can be used for diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and Ulcerative Colitis.
Because sulfasalazine can cause GI upset, this is a major reason why we try to break up the dose and give it multiple (at least two) times per day.
LFT and CBC monitoring are recommended with sulfasalazine due to its low potential to cause liver dysfunction, aplastic anemia, and agranulocytosis.
Sulfasalazine can impair folic acid absorption and lead to potential deficiency. A patient deficient in folic acid is at higher risk for developing anemia.
Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!

10 min
June 27, 2019 Sulfasalazine Pharmacology
Sulfasalazine is a medication that can be used for diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and Ulcerative Colitis.

Because sulfasalazine can cause GI upset, this is a major reason why we try to break up the dose and give it multiple (at least two) times per day.

LFT and CBC monitoring are recommended with sulfasalazine due to its low potential to cause liver dysfunction, aplastic anemia, and agranulocytosis.

Sulfasalazine can impair folic acid absorption and lead to potential deficiency. A patient deficient in folic acid is at higher risk for developing anemia.
10 min
June 20, 2019 Cholestyramine Pharmacology
On this episode, I discuss the pharmacology of cholestyramine.
Cholestyramine was originally developed as an agent to manage cholesterol, but has fallen out of favor for some of the more effective agents like statins.
Cholestyramine is notorious for binding drug interactions. It can reduce concentrations of drugs like amiodarone, digoxin, oral contraceptives, immunosuppressive and many more!
In patients with chronic diarrhea, cholestyramine is occasionally used off label to help manage symptoms because it tends to have constipating effects.
Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!

12 min
June 20, 2019 Cholestyramine Pharmacology
On this episode, I discuss the pharmacology of cholestyramine.

Cholestyramine was originally developed as an agent to manage cholesterol, but has fallen out of favor for some of the more effective agents like statins.

Cholestyramine is notorious for binding drug interactions. It can reduce concentrations of drugs like amiodarone, digoxin, oral contraceptives, immunosuppressive and many more!

In patients with chronic diarrhea, cholestyramine is occasionally used off label to help manage symptoms because it tends to have constipating effects.
12 min
June 13, 2019 Rifampin Pharmacology
Rifampin is classified as an antibiotic and an antituberculosis agent. It primarily works by inhibiting bacterial RNA polymerase.
While not extremely common, rifampin is well known to cause hepatic dysfunction.
You should remind patients who are taking rifampin that it can alter the color of tears, sweat, saliva and urine. It can change these fluids to a reddish/brown color.
Rifampin is very well known for causing drug interactions. It is an enzyme inducer that can reduce the concentrations of numerous medications such as warfarin, apixaban, cyclosporin, levothyroxine, and oral contraceptives to name a few.
Rifampin can be used to help prevent meningococcal infection. Learn more on rifampin by listening to this podcast!
Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!

14 min
June 13, 2019 Rifampin Pharmacology
Rifampin is classified as an antibiotic and an antituberculosis agent. It primarily works by inhibiting bacterial RNA polymerase.

While not extremely common, rifampin is well known to cause hepatic dysfunction.

You should remind patients who are taking rifampin that it can alter the color of tears, sweat, saliva and urine. It can change these fluids to a reddish/brown color.

Rifampin is very well known for causing drug interactions. It is an enzyme inducer that can reduce the concentrations of numerous medications such as warfarin, apixaban, cyclosporin, levothyroxine, and oral contraceptives to name a few.

Rifampin can be used to help prevent meningococcal infection. Learn more on rifampin by listening to this podcast!
14 min
June 06, 2019 Heparin Pharmacology
Heparin is an interesting drug with a lot of unique clinical quirks. This drug ultimately inhibits the formation of fibrin. Fibrin is an essential component of a blood clot.
Because heparin has blood thinning effects, it is critical to assess a patient’s bleed risk. Look out for other agents that may increase the risk of bleeding. Examples include; NSAIDs, antiplatelet agents, and other anticoagulants.
One classic test question about heparin that often comes up is the reversal agent. Protamine can be used to help reverse the effects of heparin.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a critical adverse effect to understand. I discuss both subtypes on the podcast and let you know what to look out for.
Rarer side effects of heparin include hyperkalemia and osteoporosis (only with long term use).
Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!

17 min
June 06, 2019 Heparin Pharmacology
Heparin is an interesting drug with a lot of unique clinical quirks. This drug ultimately inhibits the formation of fibrin. Fibrin is an essential component of a blood clot.

Because heparin has blood thinning effects, it is critical to assess a patient's bleed risk. Look out for other agents that may increase the risk of bleeding. Examples include; NSAIDs, antiplatelet agents, and other anticoagulants.

One classic test question about heparin that often comes up is the reversal agent. Protamine can be used to help reverse the effects of heparin.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a critical adverse effect to understand. I discuss both subtypes on the podcast and let you know what to look out for.

Rarer side effects of heparin include hyperkalemia and osteoporosis (only with long term use).
17 min
May 30, 2019 Montelukast Pharmacology
On this episode, I discuss montelukast pharmacology
Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist. Leukotrienes play an important role in causing inflammation and smooth muscle contraction in asthma and allergic rhinitis.
Because montelukast blocks the effects of leukotrienes, it can be advantageous to use this medication for allergies and asthma.
It is important to remind patients that montelukast is NOT a substitute for an acute relief medication like albuterol in the management of asthma symptoms.
Montelukast has been reported to cause mood and behavioral changes and it is important to monitor our patients for these rare concerns.
Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!

12 min
May 30, 2019 Montelukast Pharmacology
On this episode, I discuss montelukast pharmacology

Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist. Leukotrienes play an important role in causing inflammation and smooth muscle contraction in asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Because montelukast blocks the effects of leukotrienes, it can be advantageous to use this medication for allergies and asthma.

It is important to remind patients that montelukast is NOT a substitute for an acute relief medication like albuterol in the management of asthma symptoms.

Montelukast has been reported to cause mood and behavioral changes and it is important to monitor our patients for these rare concerns.
12 min