Real Life Pharmacology &#8211; Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals

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Ranolazine (Ranexa) Pharmacology Podcast Nov 03, 2022

Show notes

Ranolazine is primarily used for chronic angina management. I discuss pharmacology, drug interactions, adverse effects, and more in this podcast episode.

Ranolazine is well known to have drug interactions. CYP3A4 is of major importance but there are other subtle drug interactions that are important.

QTc prolongation has been reported with ranolazine so it is important to recognize risk factors and other medications that may contribute to this concern.

Enzyme inducers like carbamazepine, phenytoin, and St. John’s wort are all associated with reducing the concentrations of ranolazine.

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Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

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Lorazepam (Ativan) Pharmacology Podcast Oct 28, 2022

Show notes

On this podcast episode, I discuss lorazepam (Ativan) pharmacology, adverse effects, and common drug interactions.

Lorazepam has numerous dosage forms and the IV formulation does contain propylene glycol which can accumulate if it is used for longer periods of time.

There is a boxed warning for lorazepam when it is used with opioids. The risk for opioid overdose, coma, and death increases significantly.

Lorazepam is an intermediate acting benzodiazpine. It’s half-life for most adult patients is in the 12-18 hour range.

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Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

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Valsartan Pharmacology Podcast Oct 20, 2022

Show notes

On this podcast episode, I discuss valsartan pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and much more.

Valsartan is a fairly common ARB. I mostly see losartan and valsartan used as the most common ARBs in hypertension management.

Valsartan has a longer half-life than losartan which is why we can often get away with once daily dosing compared to losartan which sometimes requires twice daily.

Hyperkalemia is a major concern with ARBs like valsartan. Trimethoprim and spironolactone are two medications that can increase this risk.

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Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Famotidine Pharmacology Podcast Oct 13, 2022

Show notes

On this podcast episode, I discuss famotidine pharmacology, adverse effects, uses, and drug interactions.

Famotidine is generally pretty well tolerated, but one thing I look out for with chronic use is B12 deficiency.

Famotidine is eliminated by the kidney so you should pay attention to the dose in patients with CKD.

Famotidine is occasionally used as a pretreatment to help prevent infusion-type reactions for certain chemotherapy agents.

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Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Clonazepam Pharmacology Podcast Oct 06, 2022

Show notes

On this podcast episode, I discuss clonazepam pharmacology, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, and drug interactions.

Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine that enhances the activity of GABA which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.

It is important to try to avoid using benzodiazepines like clonazepam with opioids as it can increase the risk of respiratory depression and death.

Clonazepam is an intermediate-acting benzodiazepine that is only commercially available as an oral dosage form.

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Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

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Phentermine Pharmacology Podcast Sep 29, 2022

Show notes

In this podcast episode, I break down the pharmacology, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, and drug interactions of phentermine.

Phentermine has some CNS stimulant activity so adverse effects like insomnia, hypertension, and tachycardia are possible.

Pay attention to drugs that can oppose the effects of phentermine and cause weight gain such as mirtazapine and sulfonylureas.

Phentermine is a controlled substance so the risk of addiction and dependence is possible.

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

Glimepiride Pharmacology Podcast Sep 22, 2022

Show notes

On this podcast episode, I discuss glimepiride pharmacology, adverse effects, hypoglycemia symptoms, and drug interactions.

CYP2C9 is an important enzyme in the breakdown of glimepiride. I discuss a few drugs that can cause interactions via this enzyme.

Renal function is important to consider with glimepiride. The active metabolites are cleared by the kidney and can accumulate in CKD.

Hypoglycemia and weight gain are problematic adverse effects of this medication and are the primary reasons it has fallen out of favor.

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

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Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)