HelixTalk - Rosalind Franklin University's College of Pharmacy Podcast

Latest Episodes:

129: Let's Take It Down a Notch: Deprescribing PPIs Apr 20, 2021

Show notes

In episode 57, we had in depth discussion of safety issues, general use and recommendations for PPI therapy. In this episode, we briefly review PPI safety concerns and focus on strategies to deprescribe proton pump inhibitors.

Key Concepts

PPIs are approved as acid-reducing therapies to treat various conditions related to decreased gastric pH, however, undocumented use of PPI has increased over the years.
For indicated conditions, PPI should be used at lowest dose for shortest duration possible.
When used for longer than intended duration, PPIs may cause long-term issues such as hypomagnesemia, low vitamin B12 levels, low iron levels, anemia, C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and hypergastrinemia causing rebound acid hypersecretion.
Options for limiting PPI use are: abrupt discontinuation, dose reduction, on-demand dosing, slow deprescribing, or switching to alternate therapy. Abrupt discontinuation leads to rebound hypersecretion due to high gastrin levels.
There is lack of substantial evidence for what deprescribing strategy is better, but decreasing from multiple times a day to single daily dose, reducing the single daily dose, and switching to every other day are all appropriate strategies.

References

Farrell B, Pottie K, Thompson W, et al. Deprescribing proton pump inhibitors. Evidence-based clinical practice guideline. Can Fam Physician. 2017 May; 63(5): 354–364.
https://deprescribing.org/resources/deprescribing-guidelines-algorithms/ - Specific recommendations for deprescribing certain medications or medication classes

128 - Introducing HelixTalk's 2021 Drug Superlative Awards! Mar 30, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we announce the debut of the HelixTalk Drug Superlative Awards -- awards given to medications on the market that are outstanding or notorious. In announcing these completely fictitious awards, we review key clinical pearls and pitfalls that every clinician should be aware of with these medications.

Key Concepts

Drug most likely to be remembered for COVID-19 ineffectiveness rather than its actual FDA indication: hydroxychloroquine
Commonly used but worst hypertensives on the market: it's a tie! Atenolol and hydrochlorothiazide.
Most confusing dosage forms: valproic acid, valproate sodium, and divalproex -- it's all the same thing!
Most innovative prodrug: valacyclovir
Hottest inactive ingredient: it's a tie! Sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin (SBECD), an excipient in remdesivir, and polyethylene glycol (PEG), an excipient in mRNA vaccines.

127 - Naloxone to the Rescue! Opioid Overdose Treatment and More Mar 09, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we will discuss basic pharmacology and use of naloxone, available formulations, evidence for its effectiveness, and naloxone-related pharmacy management and regulations.

Key Concepts

Naloxone, available in various formulations, is a quick-acting opioid reversal agent approved for use in opioid overdose cases.
Naloxone access laws are in place in the majority of the states allowing patients and caregivers to obtain the medication as well as administer naloxone.
These access laws allow pharmacists to dispense naloxone to patients without individual prescriptions under prescriptive authority, standing/protocol orders, or collaborative agreements. Registration, training, education, and reporting requirements may vary per individual state.
Despite such access laws, overall prescribing of naloxone per high-dose opioid prescriptions remain low. Not many studies are available, but some suggest these laws help reduce opioid overdose deaths and emergency department visits. Implementation and education about such laws need to be improved.

References

Prescription Drug Abuse Policy System. Naloxone Overdose Prevention Laws. http://pdaps.org/datasets/laws-regulating-administration-of-naloxone-1501695139
Naloxone finder. https://www.getnaloxonenow.org/#getnaloxone
Illinois Department of Public Health. Naloxone. https://www.dph.illinois.gov/naloxone
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/medications-counseling-related-conditions/naloxone
A Way Out. https://www.opioidinitiative.org/awayout

126 - Alex, I'll Take Enterococcal Resistance Patterns and Treatments for $1000 Feb 16, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we chat with Morgan Anderson, PharmD, BCIDP and alumna of RFUMS, about Enterococcal infections including patterns of antimicrobial resistance and recommended treatment options.

125 - Let's Get Personal: Talking Warfarin Pharmacogenomics Jan 26, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we will briefly review the clotting cascade and warfarin's mechanism of action, and then discuss warfarin pharmacogenetics implications and what clinical recommendations and tools are available in order to calculate warfarin dose.

124 - The ABCs of EUAs: Understanding FDA Emergency Use Authorizations Jan 05, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss the FDA·s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) process and review the resources available to healthcare providers when an EUA for a drug therapy is approved.

123 - Dr. Rosalind Franklin: Beyond Photo 51 Dec 15, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, we interview the niece of Dr. Rosalind Franklin, the namesake of our university, who is also named Rosalind Franklin. As part of the university's centennial celebration of Dr. Franklin, we discuss her amazing life and scientific achievements and reflect on how her story can be applied to our own lives.

122 - The First Rule of Journal Club is That We Don't Talk About Journal Club Nov 24, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss how to excel in your next journal club presentation or discussion while avoiding the all-too-common pitfalls for this unique format.

121 - But Wait, There's More! Unusual Warfarin Interactions Nov 03, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, we will discuss some of the interesting and unusual warfarin interactions such as acetaminophen, alcohol, agents with antiplatelet properties, non-green vitamin K foods, and CBD/THC.

120 - When it Rains it Pours: A Succinct Clinical Review of Hyponatremia due to SIADH Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss the pathophysiology, drug-related causes, diagnosis, and treatment of a common type of hyponatremia called the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH).

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

HelixTalk – Rosalind Franklin University’s College of Pharmacy Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected