Real Life Pharmacology - Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals

On this episode, I discuss duloxetine pharmacology, adverse effects, and common drug interactions. Duloxetine is an SNRI that is used for depression, anxiety, and various pain syndromes like neuropathy and fibromyalgia. Duloxetine can inhibit CYP2D6 which can lead to higher concentrations of clozapine and propranolol and lower activity of tamoxifen. CYP1A2 inhibitors like ciprofloxacin can raise c...

Lasmiditan (Reyvow) is an agent that is utilized for acute migraine treatment. It works slightly differently than triptans which I discuss on this episode. Lasmiditan is a relatively new agent and cost will often limit its use at this time. Rosuvastatin and sulfasalazine are two common medications that may have concentrations increase when lasmiditan is used. I discuss this in detail on this episo...

On this episode, I discuss sumatriptan pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions and more. Dosage forms can provide different methods of drug delivery and I talk about many different sumatriptan dosage forms in this episode. Cardiovascular risks need to be assessed when using a drug like sumatriptan. I discuss this in greater detail in the podcast. Sumatriptan has serotonergic activity and...

On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology Podcast, I discuss bumetanide pharmacology, adverse effects, and drug interactions. Bumetanide is a loop diuretic and it is critical to monitor renal function and electrolytes with this medication. Ototoxicity is a rare adverse effect that is dose-dependent and can be worsened by aminoglycosides. It is critical to look for drugs that can worsen edema w...

On this episode, I discuss oxycodone pharmacology, adverse effect, pharmacokinetics, and drug interactions. Oxycodone is broken down by CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. I discuss this further on the podcast and how interactions may alter concentrations. When a patient stops taking oxycodone after being on it for some time, you must recognize common symptoms of withdrawal. Oxycodone comes as in an extended-relea...

On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, I explore doxycycline pharmacology, adverse effects, and drug interactions. Doxycycline can be bound by numerous minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron. Coadministration can lead to reduced concentrations. Sun sensitivity is a really important adverse effect that can be caused by doxycycline. Be sure to educate your patients. Doxycycline c...

On this episode, I discuss tolterodine pharmacology, adverse effects, and drug interactions. Tolterodine (Detrol) is an anticholinergic medication used to manage the symptoms of overactive bladder. Tolterodine’s anticholinergic activity can lead to a significant number of adverse effects like dry mouth, dry eyes, constipation, and urinary retention. Elderly patients may be at greater risk fo...

On this episode, I discuss clarithromycin pharmacology, adverse effects, and drug interactions. Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that can be used for many similar indications as azithromycin. Clarithromycin has numerous drug interactions as it can inhibit CYP3A4. This limits its use in practice. Clarithromycin can be used in the treatment of H. pylori in combination with other antibiotics...

On this episode, I discuss azathioprine pharmacology, adverse effects, monitoring parameters, and drug interactions. Azathioprine is classified as an immunosuppressive agent so it is naturally going to be used for autoimmune type disorders and transplantation. Azathioprine has a boxed warning for myelosuppression. I talk more about this in the episode. Genetic testing is recommended by the AGA pri...

On this episode, I discuss amitriptyline pharmacology, adverse effects, and drug interactions. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE! Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources! NAPLEX Study Materials BCPS Study Materials BCACP Study Materials BCGP Study Materials BCMTMS Study Materials Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (...

On this episode of the podcast, I discuss my approach and strategies to handle grapefruit juice interactions. Grapefruit juice causes drug interactions by inhibiting the CYP enzyme system. More specifically, it inhibits CYP3A4 which is responsible for the breakdown of many medications. Quantity is always an important consideration when assessing grapefruit juice interactions. The more that is take...

On this episode, I cover pantoprazole pharmacology, adverse effects, and drug interactions. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE! Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources! NAPLEX Study Materials BCPS Study Materials BCACP Study Materials BCGP Study Materials BCMTMS Study Materials Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Ama...

On this episode, I discuss rosuvastatin pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions and pharmacokinetics. Rosuvastatin is a hydrophilic statin which differs from some of the most commonly used statins like simvastatin and atorvastatin. Rosuvastatin is minimally affected by CYP3A4 drug interactions so that is a small potential advantage over simvastatin and atorvastatin. At dosages of 20-40 mg...

On this episode, I discuss atorvastatin pharmacology, adverse effects, monitoring parameters, and drug interactions. Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, the rate-limiting step in the production of cholesterol. It is used to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases by decreasing cholesterol. Atorvastatin is more lipophilic in comparison to other statins such as rosuvast...

On this episode, I discuss gemfibrozil pharmacology, adverse effects, and important drug interactions. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE! Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources! NAPLEX Study Materials BCPS Study Materials BCACP Study Materials BCGP Study Materials BCMTMS Study Materials Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharma...

On this episode, I discuss trospium pharmacology, adverse effects, and important drug interactions you should know. Trospium chloride (Sanctura) is a bladder antimuscarinic or anticholinergic. It blocks the action of acetylcholine in bladder smooth muscle. It is used for urinary frequency and overactive bladder. The immediate-release formulation is taken twice a day. There is an extended-release v...

On this episode, I discuss propranolol pharmacology, adverse reactions, and important drug interactions you should know. Propranolol (Inderal) is a non-selective beta-blocker. There are many indications for it including hypertension, tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, post-MI, chronic stable angina, essential tremors, migraine prophylaxis, esophageal varices, performance anxiety disorder, lithium-i...

On this episode, I discuss quetiapine pharmacology, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, and drug interactions. Quetiapine (Seroquel) is a medication seen a fair amount, particularly in the geriatric population where there is psychosis associated with dementia. It is classified as an antipsychotic. Mechanistically it’s going to block dopamine receptors, specifically D2. It also has some seroto...

On this episode, I discuss phenazopyridine pharmacology, adverse effects, and potential drug interactions. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE! Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources! NAPLEX Study Materials BCPS Study Materials BCACP Study Materials BCGP Study Materials BCMTMS Study Materials Meded101 Guide to Nursing Ph...

On this episode, I discuss fluvoxamine pharmacology, adverse effects, and most importantly, drug interactions. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE! Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources! NAPLEX Study Materials BCPS Study Materials BCACP Study Materials BCGP Study Materials BCMTMS Study Materials Meded101 Guide to Nursin...

On this episode, I discuss oxybutynin pharmacology, drug interactions, and adverse effects. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE! Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources! NAPLEX Study Materials BCPS Study Materials BCACP Study Materials BCGP Study Materials BCMTMS Study Materials Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Ama...

On this episode, I will discuss glyburide pharmacology. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE! Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources! NAPLEX Study Materials BCPS Study Materials BCACP Study Materials BCGP Study Materials BCMTMS Study Materials Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated) Guide to Drug Food...

On this episode, I discuss the pharmacology of zaleplon including side effects, drug interactions, and important clinical pearls. Zaleplon is a non-benzodiazepine sleep aide commonly known as Sonata. It is commonly used for sedation and the management of insomnia. Zaleplon is a controlled medication, with a high risk for dependence, and because of that, it is best used to treat short-term insomnia...

On this episode, I breakdown the pharmacology of hydrochlorothiazide including adverse effects, drug interactions, and other clinical pearls. Hydrochlorothiazide has common brand names of Microzide, Hydrodiuril, and its common abbreviation is HCTZ. Extra caution should be taken with “HCTZ”; it may be mistaken for other abbreviations. Hydrochlorothiazide works pharmacologically by blocking the reab...

On this episode, I discuss torsemide pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions and pharmacokinetics. Torsemide is commonly known as Demadex. It is a loop diuretic, and like other loop diuretics, it acts by inhibiting the reabsorption of Na+ and Cl- in the ascending loop of Henle. What results is a decrease in the reabsorption of water, causing a loss of electrolytes as well as water. The ph...