Real Life Pharmacology - Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals
Summary: Pharmacology is one of the most challenge topics you will encounter as a healthcare professional, but it can be the most rewarding with a good understanding. Whether you are preparing to be a nurse, physician, physician assistant, pharmacist, dentist, nurse practitioner, pharmacy technician, pharmacologist, or other healthcare professional, this podcast will help you better understand pharmacology. In addition to giving you the basics like mechanism of action, side effects, drug interactions, etc., you will also be exposed to how medications actually impact patients in real life. In the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, Eric Christianson, PharmD shares his real world experiences about how a medication's mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, adverse effects, and drug interactions can actually impact patients in both a positive and a potentially negative way. Eric Christianson PharmD is the author of the popular clinical pharmacy blog Meded101.com. People who are passionate about nursing, medicine, or pharmacy will find this podcast beneficial in helping them prepare for passing exams. This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice or intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Please seek advice from your pharmacist or primary care provider if you have questions about medications that you are taking.
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- Artist: Eric Christianson, PharmD; Pharmacology Expert and Clinical Pharmacist
Podcasts:
On this podcast episode, I discuss tamoxifen pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interaction, and much more. Tamoxifen is converted to a more active compound in the body by CYP2D6. CYP2D6 inhibitors such as paroxetine, fluoxetine, or bupropion can essentially reduce the effectiveness of tamoxifen. Hot flashes are a common adverse effect of tamoxifen and I discuss a few pharmacologic options to manage this adverse effect.
On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology Podcast, I cover phenobarbital pharmacology, adverse effects, important drug interactions and much more. Phenobarbital is an enzyme inducer. It is an inducer at CYP3A4 so this can lead to numerous drug interactions. Phenobarbital can exacerbate the risk for opioid overdose and increase the risk for respiratory depression and death. Phenobarbital can deplete numerous vitamins such as vitamin D, folic acid, and vitamin B12. Monitoring of these is important.
On this episode, I discuss isotretinoin pharmacology, side effects, drug interactions, and much more. The iPLEDGE program is in place to ensure that pregnant patients do not receive this medication. I discuss this in more detail on this episode. Sun sensitivity is an important adverse effect that patients should be aware of during seasons of high sun exposure. Hepatic issues, myalgia, and psychiatric changes are rare adverse effects associated with isotretinoin.
On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology Podcast, I discuss lovastatin pharmacology, adverse effect, drug interactions, and more! Lovastatin is broken down by CYP3A4 so drugs like clarithromycin, diltiazem, and others may increase concentrations. Lovastatin is a lipophilic statin and I discuss the importance of this on the podcast. Lovastatin has a very short half-life which means that it is ideal to dose this medication at night for maximal efficacy.
On this podcast episode, I discuss clindamycin pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and much more! Clindamycin (oral administration) can cause esophageal irritation and it is recommended to take this medication with a full glass of water. C. Diff risk and frequent dosing are two of the biggest downsides to using clindamycin to manage infections. Clindamycin has good activity against many gram-positive organisms like Staph and Strep as well as anaerobic activity.
On this podcast episode, I discuss dextroamphetamine's pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and much more! Dextroamphetamine is a stimulant medication. Weight loss, insomnia, tachycardia, and hypertension are all possible complications. There is a patch dosage form of dextroamphetamine available called Xelstrym. I discuss it on this episode. Vitamin C can reduce GI absorption of dextroamphetamine due to its ability to increase the acidity of the GI tract.
On this podcast episode, I discuss vardenafil pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and much more. Vardenafil is a PDE-5 inhibitor used primarily for erectile dysfunction in males. Using nitrates with vardenafil is contraindicated due to the risk of profound hypotension. I have discussed how long to wait between vardenafil and nitrates in a previous post on Meded101.com.
On this podcast episode, I discuss niacin pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and much more. Niacin has historically been used to manage lipids but has fallen out of favor due to adverse effects, and newer, more effective therapies being developed. Niacin can elevate uric acid. Be sure to use this medication cautiously in patients with gout. Flushing is one of the most common adverse effects of niacin. High doses, immediate-release formulations, and the use of alcohol can increase the risk.
I discuss dextromethorphan pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and more on this podcast episode. CYP2D6 metabolizes Dextromethorphan. A commonly used antidepressant is a CYP2D6 inhibitor. I discuss this on the podcast. Dextromethorphan is a commonly used OTC cough suppressant. There is potential for abuse with this medication. In excessive doses, dextromethorphan may cause euphoria, hallucinations, and other CNS effects, but also cause cardiovascular complications.
On this podcast episode, I discuss bexagliflozin pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and much more. I wasn't wowed by the A1C reduction of this medication. I get into the specifics on bexagliflozin in the podcast episode. SGLT2 inhibitors like bexagliflozin increase the glucose in the urine which can facilitate the growth of bacteria and fungi in the genitourinary tract. Limb amputation and euglycemic DKA are two rare, reported adverse effects to be aware of with the use of bexagliflozin.
On this episode, I discuss cefuroxime pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interaction, pharmacokinetics, and much more. Cefuroxime is a 2nd generation cephalosporin that binds Penicillin-binding proteins and prevents bacterial cell wall synthesis. Medications that create a higher pH in the stomach such as antacids can ultimately reduce the concentrations of cefuroxime. Cefuroxime is primarily eliminated by the kidney. Dose adjustments are recommended for patients with a CrCL less than 30 mls/min.
On this episode, I discuss risperidone pharmacology, adverse effects, monitoring, and common indications. There are numerous drug interactions that I discuss in this podcast episode. CYP2D6 inhibitors may increase drug concentrations. Risperidone increases prolactin more than most 2nd generation antipsychotics. This can lead to sexual adverse effects. QTC prolongation is a concern with all antipsychotics like risperidone. We can monitor EKG to monitor for this risk.
On this podcast episode, I discuss vortioxetine pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and much more. Because of vortioxetine's long half-life, antidepressant discontinuation syndrome is going to be less prominent compared to ADPs with shorter half-lives. Vortioxetine is metabolized by CYP2D6. Drugs that inhibit this enzyme will likely raise concentrations and place the patient more at risk for adverse effects. I discuss rare vortioxetine adverse effects like hyponatremia and bleeding in this podcast episode.
On this episode, I discuss isosorbide mononitrate pharmacology, adverse effects, and important drug interactions. Isosorbide mononitrate is a vasodilator that works by relaxing and widening the blood vessels (primarily veins) through nitric oxide action. This reduces the preload and oxygen demand on the heart. The primary use for isosorbide mononitrate is angina prevention. It is important to remember that it is NOT meant for acute relief of chest pain. Headache is a major adverse effect of isosorbide mononitrate and can be very bothersome for patients. Vasodilation is primarily responsible for this adverse effect. PDE-5 inhibitors are notorious for causing drug interactions with any nitrate medication. I discuss management strategies in this podcast episode.
On this episode of the RLP podcast, I discuss azelastine nasal spray pharmacology, adverse effects, administration, and much more! While most nasal sprays for allergic rhinitis are corticosteroids, azelastine is classified as an antihistamine. Systemic absorption of azelastine is about 40%, so while not common, systemic adverse effects like sedation can happen. On this podcast episode, I use azelastine to remind you about important education points regarding the use of nasal sprays.
