Real Life Pharmacology - Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals

Rivaroxaban is a factor 10a inhibitor that inhibits clot formation and thins the blood.

Rivaroxaban needs to be monitored for bleed risk. Checking periodic CBC can help us assess if hemoglobin and hematocrit are remaining stable.

Enzyme inducers like rifampin, St. John’s Wort, and carbamazepine can reduce concentrations and increase the risk of treatment failure.

NSAIDs and antiplatelet medications can significantly increase the risk of bleed with rivaroxaban.

Rivaroxaban should not be used with dual P-glycoprotein and CYP3A4 inhibitors. Examples include ketoconazole, itraconazole, and ritonavir.

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Valproate (valproic acid, Depakote) has numerous uses which includes migraines, seizures, and bipolar disorder.

In a patient who is taking valproate, it is important to monitor for signs and symptoms of confusion as this drug can cause elevated ammonia levels.

When switching between dosage forms of valproate, you must recognize that the bioavailability is not the same between each different dosage form. This could lead to toxicity or treatment failure.

Valproic acid has a boxed warning for hepatotoxicity and liver function needs to be monitored.

Valproic acid can increase lamotrigine levels which ultimately could lead to an increased risk of lamotrigine induced SJS.

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On this episode I discuss the pharmacology of donepezil.

Donepezil is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. In dementia, that is a deficiency in acetylcholine and donepezil helps preserve this neurotransmitter.

Donepezil can cause weight loss, GI upset, and diarrhea. This is an important monitoring parameter in our dementia patients.

There is the possibility for donepezil to cause bradycardia and insomnia. Keep an eye out for these adverse effects as they can and do happen in real practice.

Anticholinergics are notorious for blunting the effects of donepezil. We must look out for drug interactions from older anticholinergics like diphenhydramine, amitriptyline, and hydroxyzine.

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Linezolid is an antibiotic used for bacterial infection. It primarily works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis.

Linezolid is primarily bacteriostatic against most bacteria which means that it inhibits the growth and doesn’t necessarily kill the bacteria itself.

Caution must be used with linezolid and serotonergic drugs as there is a risk for serotonin syndrome. Clinical risk/benefit analysis needs to be done.

Linezolid overall has good coverage for VRE and MRSA. It is an option for MRSA pneumonia where daptomycin is not.

Linezolid has both an oral and an IV option which allows for good continuity of inpatient and outpatient use.

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

On this episode, I cover pioglitazone pharmacology. The primary mechanism of action with pioglitazone is that it is an agonist at Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma receptor. This improves insulin sensitivty in the periphery.

Two common side effects exist with pioglitazone. This drug can cause weight gain and also contribute to edema.

Pioglitazone has a boxed warning and is contraindicated in patients who have symptomatic heart failure.

There are a few potential interactions with pioglitazone. Trimethoprim and gemfibrozil can inhibit the breakdown of pioglitazone.

A couple of advantages of pioglitazone include that it is generic (inexpensive) and that it is dosed once daily.

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