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Overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics can lead to antimicrobial resistance, increased cost, and higher prevalence of adverse drug reactions. Nearly 2 million infections and 23,000 deaths are caused by bacteria that are antibiotic-resistant each year in the United States costing the healthcare system an estimated 20 billion dollars. Moreover, adverse reactions to antibiotics are the most common reason for pediatric patients to visit the emergency department.  Narrow-spectrum antimicrobials are generally preferred, but there are instances where broader coverage is recommended.  A recent study attempts to “clean up” the debate by examining the benefits and risks of using narrow- versus broad-spectrum antibiotics in children with acute respiratory tract infections. Guest Authors:  Amber Giles, PharmD, MPH, BCPS, AAHIVP  and Paige Hughes, PharmD Music by Good Talk

Patients with type 1 diabetes often have sub-optimal glycemic control.  The gold standard of treatment is basal-bolus insulin or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion via an insulin pump.  However, only a third of patients with type 1 diabetes achieve the American Diabetes Association A1C goal

Opioid-use disorder (OUD), a risk factor and major contributor to opioid-related deaths, is often underdiagnosed and undertreated.  Currently there are three FDA-approved pharmacologic treatments for OUD maintenance therapy: methadone, buprenorphine (with or without naloxone), and naltrexone.  Despite definitive evidence that methadone and buprenorphine products are effective in the treatment of OUD, there are still considerable accessibility and availability barriers that patients face when seeking Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). The EXtended-release naltrexone vs Buprenorphine/naloxone for Opioid Treatment (X:BOT) trial compared the efficacy and safety of XR-NTX and BUP-NX to induce and maintain a patient with OUD on MAT as well as reducing opioid overdoses, relapses, and cravings. Guest Author:  Jordan L. Wulz, PharmD, MPH, BC-ADM, CHC Music by Good Talk

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) effects women of all ages but is common among perimenopausal / postmenopausal women and may be related to a reduction in circulating estrogen.  Oral estrogens increase sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) which lowers available free testosterone and thus may negatively impact sexual function.Transdermal estrogens are typically preferred because they lack a high first-pass effect and are not associated with risk of thromboembolic events. However, additional research – directly comparing oral and transdermal preparations – was needed.  An ancillary study of the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS) did just that - examined the impact of oral and transdermal estrogens on sexual functioning. Guest Authors:  Stefanie C. Nigro, PharmD, BCACP and Christine Dimanculangan, Pharm.D. Music by Good Talk

A recently published study explores the possible benefits to discontinuing an alpha-1 blocker after receiving combination therapy with a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).  In more symptomatic patients, or patients with confirmed, enlarged prostates, it is recommended to use both medication classes (alpha-1 blocker and 5-alpha reductase inhibitor) to minimize symptoms by relaxing the prostatic smooth muscle and reducing the size of the prostate – producing a potentially synergistic effect.  This study found that withdrawal of alpha 1-blockers after a year of combination therapy did not worsen urinary symptoms, QOL, and voiding or storage function.  This provides evidence that combination therapy may not be needed indefinitely for all patients. Guest Authors:  Erica Crannage, PharmD and Stephanie Crist, PharmD Music by Good Talk

It’s been 20 years since alendronate was approved to treat osteoporosis.  Although effective, bisphosphonates aren’t ideal. Romosozumab is an investigational monoclonal antibody that increases bone formation and decreases bone resorption. Is romosozumab a potentially better alternative to bisphosphonate therapy?  That’s what the ARCH study attempted to answer. Guest Authors:  Yanqun Evonne Lee, MClinPharm and Joyce Yu-Chia Lee, PharmD Music by Good Talk

The new 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines recommend a BP goal of

Nearly 16 million adults in the United States have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but this is probably a woeful underestimate as many adults are asymptomatic in early stages.  Screening is only recommended if patients exhibit symptoms and have risk factors.  However, the most rapid decline in lung function occurs during GOLD stage 1. As COPD progresses, mortality, morbidity, and the economic burden increase very significantly. These facts suggest a need to detect and treat early-stage disease to slow its progression. The Tie-COPD study provides some new evidence that early treatment might be beneficial. Guest Authors: Amy Robertson, Pharm.D. and Michelle Balli (Piel), Pharm.D. Music by Good Talk

We’ve all seen and used the American College of Cardiology 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk calculator. There are several modifiable risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and smoking status that, if addressed, can lower ASCVD risk. But are there other modifiable risk factors that we are failing to account for and might be able to address? New evidence suggests systemic inflammation may be one. Guest Authors:  Ian Hatlee, Pharm.D and Scott Pearson, Pharm.D. Music by Good Talk

We interview Eric MacLaughlin, Joseph Saseen, and Kristin Rieser about the ACC/AHA Guidelines for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Adults released in November 2017.  Dr. MacLaughin, a member of the Guideline Writing Committee, gives a insiders view of the guidelines development process and explains the rationale for lower blood pressure goals.  Drs. Saseen and Rieser talk about some of the practical considerations that we all must consider as we move forward to making these recommendations a reality. Guests:  Kristin Rieser, Pharm.D., Joseph Saseen, Pharm.D, and Eric MacLaughlin, Pharm.D. Music by Good Talk

Since the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) less than a decade ago, use of this class has expanded beyond the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism and stroke prevention in the setting of atrial fibrillation. The potential role of DOACs in the secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD) has been of considerable interest. In the setting of CAD, warfarin has resulted in significant more major bleeding when given either alone or in combination with antiplatelet agents when compared to aspirin alone.  Therefore, clinicians have been reluctant to embrace the combination of an anticoagulant plus an antiplatelet agent. However, could DOACs have a role in stable CAD? The COMPASS trial aimed to find an answer. Guest Authors:  Candyce Bryant, Pharm.D., Joy Hoffman, Pharm.D., and M. Shawn McFarland, Pharm.D. Music by Good Talk

Despite good adherence to high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and concomitant long-acting beta agonists (LABA), millions of people with asthma continue to experience exacerbations.  What more can patients and clinicians do to reduce the risk of exacerbations?  Does the routine use of antibiotics reduce the frequency of exacerbations?  This is the question the recently published AMAZES study attempted to answer. Guest Authors: Michael Nagy, Pharm.D. and Ashley Crowl, Pharm.D. Music by Good Talk

Drug overdose is now the leading cause of death among Americans under the age of 50.  In 2016, the United States (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a seminal guideline for primary care clinicians regarding opioid prescribing. These guidelines are now being implemented by clinicians, insurers, and healthcare institutions. The Transforming Opioid Prescribing in Primary Care (TOPCARE) study sought to assess the impact of a multicomponent care management intervention on opioid stewardship in four primary care centers. Guest Authors:  Lucas Hill and Jennifer Shin Music by Good Talk 

While good glycemic control has been shown to prevent microvascular complications (e.g. retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy), only a few anti-diabetic agents have been shown to reduce macrovascular complications (e.g. cardiovascular events. Empagliflozin, a sodium glucose transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, not only reduced the risk of CV events but also all-cause mortality in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME study.  Based on this data, the SGLT2 inhibitors were given favorable second-line treatment status in the most recent AACE/ACE clinical practice guidelines. But do all SGLT2 inhibitors confer the same benefits… and risks? The Canagliflozin and Cardiovascular and Renal Events in Type 2 Diabetes (CANVAS) trial assessed the cardiovascular and renal benefits from long-term canagliflozin use.  The results are both reassuring and unexpected. Guest Author:  Sean Lasota, Pharm.D. Music by Good Talk

According to the 2016 CHEST VTE Guidelines, at least 3 months of therapy is recommended for an unprovoked DVT or PE (Grade 1B). Thereafter, the clinician is expected to weigh the risks and benefits to determine if extended therapy is appropriate. Balancing the risk of mortality from recurrent VTE versus major bleeding has been challenging.  A validated clinical decision tool is sorely needed!  Until recently, no risk assessment tool has been validated and therefore none have been widely adopted in practice. Guest Author:  Carol Chan, Pharm.D. Music by Good Talk