Real Life Pharmacology - Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals

Memantine is classified as an NMDA receptor antagonist. Memantine pharmacology is complex as is the pharmacology of any medication working in the brain. This drug can help reduce the activity of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter which can play a role in Alzheimer’s dementia. Memantine has an extended release dosage form that is dosed once per day compared to twice per day for the imm...

On this episode, I discuss magnesium pharmacology and the clinical applications. Magnesium plays numerous important functions in the body and you may see patients take these supplements under the direction of a healthcare professional and sometimes on their own. It is very important to remember that magnesium can cause GI upset and diarrhea. This is often overlooked in our polypharmacy patient. Ma...

Trazodone pharmacology is complex. It can inhibit serotonin reuptake, block histamine receptors, and possibly have alpha-blocking activity. Side effects of trazodone include sedation, dizziness, and dry mouth. Rarely, priapism may occur. I’ve seen this nugget come up on pharmacology exams! While trazodone is classified as antidepressant, it is often used to help manage insomnia. Trazodone ca...

The GLP-1’s are a relatively newer class of medications used to lower blood sugars in diabetes. GLP-1’s work by simulating the effects of incretin hormones in the body. They can help promote fullness, lower weight, and stimulate insulin release following a meal. GLP-1’s can cause significant GI side effects. Nausea is by far the most common adverse effect. It can even lead to dia...

Iron supplements frequently cause GI upset. Monitor patients for nausea, vomiting, and constipation issues. There are three main salt forms of iron. Ferrous fumurate has the most elemental iron, ferrous sulfate (2nd most), and ferrous gluconate has the least. Iron can bind up antibiotics and reduce their effectiveness. Two classic examples include the quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics. Anemia...

On this episode, I cover common loop diuretics. They include furosemide, torsemide, and bumetanide. Loop diuretics are potent agents that can help in the management of heart failure and ascites. Loops diuretics help promote the loss of excessive fluid through the urine. A common patient complaint from loop diuretics is that they can cause frequent urination. Because of this, we typically dose thes...

On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology Podcast, I cover the pharmacology of methotrexate. Methotrexate has a few different indications. It can be used for treatment of cancer. These doses are typically going to be much higher than standard low doses for other conditions. Lower dose methotrexate is often used for autoimmune type conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Folic acid...

On this episode, I discuss cyclobenzaprine pharmacology. Cyclobenzaprine is an older skeletal muscle relaxant. Cyclobenzaprine can have a significant number of anticholinergic side effects. The anticholinergic side effects of cyclobenzaprine can include sedation, dry eyes, dry mouth, urinary retention, and confusion. Cyclobenzaprine is not well tolerated in the elderly and cause more problems in t...

Lithium is a drug that has a ton of clinical pearls.  On this episode, I talk about the pharmacology, side effects, drug interactions, and critical practice pearls. Kidney function is very important to monitor in our patients taking lithium.  Lithium can accumulate in renal impairment. Thyroid function can be altered by lithium.  Be sure to regularly monitor TSH in a patient on chro...

Pseudoephedrine is commonly used to help relieve nasal congestion. There are some adverse effects you need to be aware of with pseudoephedrine. Insomnia, increase in blood pressure, and urinary retention are all possible. When I assess a patient using pseudoephedrine, I like to investigate blood pressure, history of urinary problems and insomnia history. Pseudoephedrine can cause the prescrib...

On this episode, I discuss fentanyl pharmacology. I address important considerations that you must remember with fentanyl patches. Those considerations include how pharmacokinetics can impact our patients. I also break down common side effects of opioids as well as potential common drug interactions. Drug diversion and illicit use is an important consideration when using fentanyl.  I also tou...

Quinolones are a class of antibiotics that can be used for various infections. I discuss the pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions and other items on this podcast episode. On this episode, I talk about the warnings associated with quinolones. Quinolone use has subsided over time, not due to the fact that they are ineffective, but to rising concerns and warnings about adverse effects. Qu...

On this episode I discuss why we may need to use potassium supplements. I also talk about a medication error situation involving potassium that lead to a death. It is important to remember other medications that can raise potassium levels. I also talk about a dosage form of potassium that might make patients ask some questions. Enjoy the show and I hope you sign up to get our free 31 page PDF! &#1...

On this episode, I talk about apixaban (Eliquis) pharmacology. I also cover adverse effects like bleeding and what to monitor. Drug interactions are a concern with apixaban and I discuss a few items that you may want to look out for. It is important to remember that apixaban does require dose adjustments in certain situations as well. Check out our free giveaway for healthcare professionals and st...

Metoclopramide Pharmacology Metoclopramide can block dopamine receptors as part of it’s mechanism of action.  I discuss the clinical implications from this in the podcast. Metoclopramide can exacerbate Parkison’s disorder so you need to be careful in that type of patient. Metoclopramide is dosed frequently, which can potentially be a downside as far as patient adherence goes. Meto...

On this episode, I discuss the mechanism of action of the SGLT-2 Inhibitors and how they lower blood sugar. These drugs are classically used for diabetes and eliminate blood sugar through the urine. One of the potential side effects is that these drugs can increase the risk of genital infections and urinary tract infections. There is a boxed warning on canagliflozin for its potential to increase t...

On this episode, I discuss how the tetracyclines impact bacterial protein synthesis. I also remind you of several medications that fall in the tetracycline class.  Doxycycline is by far the medication I see used the most. You’ll also learn about common side effects like GI upset and photosensitivity. I cover why this class of medication is typically avoided in pediatrics and pregnancy....

I break down the mechanism of action, side effects, and important drug interactions you need to know. I give you a sense of what things you might actually encounter in practice when working with patients who take allopurinol. Allopurinol is a top 200 drug. Remember to subscribe to the website reallifepharmacology.com for the Free 31 page PDF where I give you three highly testable pearls on the top...

In this episode I discuss bupropion pharmacology.  I cover the mechanism of action, side effects, and some relevant drug interactions. Important information in this episode includes: Possible indications for bupropion like depression and smoking cessation Risk of lowering seizure threshold Inhibition of CYP2D6 Dosage form considerations Pearls for onset of bupropion’s action

On this episode, I cover mirtazapine pharmacology. We will review how mirtazapine works in the body and how those cause adverse effects and benefit out patient. I will also look at the side effect profile and why mirtazapine may be harmful or helpful in our patients. We cover drug interactions for mirtazapine in the podcast as well. Mirtazapine is an antidepressant and I mention discontinuation sy...

The Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors are a class of medication used for various mental health disorder and pain syndromes.  I talk about the pharmacology of the SNRI’s and how it relates to their adverse effect profile.  The pharmacology of SNRI’s also plays an important role in why they are efficacious for treatment of pain compared to the SSRI’s.&...

The TCA’s are one of the older antidepressant type medications that can be used for a whole host of reasons.  They are not without potential concerns however.  I cover the MOA, drug interactions, side effects and clinical practice pearls of the tricyclic antidepressants in this episode.

Warfarin is one of the most notorious medications when it comes to drug interactions.  I cover the MOA, side effects, drug interactions, and pharmacology of the medication.  Enjoy the episode and don’t for get to subscribe to get our free study resources!

On today’s episode, I talk about the pharmacology of carbidopa/levodopa.  We cover drug interactions, adverse effects, mechanism of action and why is this drug dose so frequently? Hope you enjoy the show and take advantage of our FREE giveaway, simply for following the show!

On today’s episode, I discuss spironolactone and eplerenone.  We cover the mechanism of action, monitoring parameters, adverse effects, and of course notable drug interactions.  Enjoy the show and please take advantage of our FREE giveaway by following the podcast via email!