Episodes

  • Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medications 81-85

    Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medications 81-85
    Sep 26 2024
    On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, I cover medications 81 through 85 on the top 200 drug list. Famotidine is an H2 blocker. H2 blockers are less potent than PPIs but can be used to manage heartburn symptoms. Aspirin is technically an NSAID but is primarily used for cardioprophylaxis purposes. Senna is a stimulant laxative. I often see this medication used with opioids to help manage opioid-induced constipation. Novolog is a rapid acting insulin used to bring down post prandial blood sugars. I discuss sliding scale insulin and other concepts with this medication. Baclofen is a skeletal muscle relaxant. It has central nervous system depressant effects which can be especially problematic in elderly patients. Support the sponsor Meded101.com by going to meded101.com/store - Study materials, books, review courses for pharmacists, pharmacy students, pharmacy technicians, nurses, physicians, prescribers, dietitians, and all others who want to learn pharmacology!
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    23 mins
  • Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medications 76-80

    Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medications 76-80
    Sep 19 2024
    Reglan (metoclopramide) is used for gastroparesis and inhibits gastric smooth muscle by blocking dopamine receptors. Relafen (nabumetone) is a non-selective inhibition of COX-1/COX-2 which leads to a reduction of inflammation via reduced prostaglandins. Keflex (cephalexin) is a 1st generation oral cephalosporin that covers common gram positive organisms like Staph and Strep species. Effexor (Venlafaxine) is an SNRI and inhibits both serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. Primary uses include anxiety and depression. Boniva (ibandronate) inhibits osteoclasts which helps treat osteoporosis. Osteoclasts break down bone to help pull calcium into the bloodstream.
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    20 mins
  • Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medications 71-75

    Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medications 71-75
    Sep 12 2024
    This episode is sponsored by Freed – Freed is an amazing time saver for busy healthcare professionals! It listens, transcribes, and writes medical notes for you! Go check them out and support our sponsor! Robitussin (Guaifenesin) is a medication that is used as a cough suppressant. It is often combined with numerous other medications so patients need to pay attention Valium (diazepam) is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety or seizures. Falls, dizziness, confusion, and sedation are common adverse effects. Viagra (sildenafil) makes the list at number 73. This medication is a PDE-5 inhibitor that can be used for erectile dysfunction. Bactroban (mupirocin) is a topical antibiotic that can be used for superficial skin infections. Januvia (Sitagliptin) is a DPP4 inhibitor used for treating hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes. It doesn't reduce A1C quite as much as other diabetes medications like SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists.
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    18 mins
  • Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medications 66-70

    Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medications 66-70
    Sep 5 2024
    This episode is sponsored by Freed – Freed is an amazing time saver for busy healthcare professionals! It listens, transcribes, and writes medical notes for you! Go check them out and support our sponsor! Pantoprazole (Protonix) is a PPI that can be used for GERD and peptic ulcer disease. I differentiate why this medication is different from the commonly used omeprazole. Dicyclomine (Bentyl) is an anticholinergic medication that may be used to help reduce pain and spasms associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Sumatriptan (Imitrex) is a selective 5HT1 receptor agonist, which potentially helps with vasoconstriction that contributes to migraine symptoms. Chlorhexidine (Peridex) is an antibiotic oral rinse that can be used for gingivitis. Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL) is a beta-blocker that may be used for atrial fibrillation, angina prevention, and hypertension. It is not a first-line medication for hypertension.
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    21 mins
  • Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medications 61-65

    Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medications 61-65
    Aug 29 2024
    This episode is sponsored by Freed - Freed is an amazing time saver for busy healthcare professionals! It listens, transcribes, and writes medical notes for you! Go check them out and support our sponsor! In this episode, we highlight some of the most important clinical pearls (and highly testable pearls) on the following medications; Suboxone, lisdexamfetamine, nortriptyline, insulin lispro, and valproic acid. Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone used for opioid use disorder. Lisdexamfetamine is a stimulant medication that can be used to manage ADHD. Common side effects include weight loss, insomnia, hypertension, and tachycardia. Nortriptyline is a TCA medication known for its ability to cause anticholinergic side effects like constipation, dry eyes, dry mouth, urinary retention, and confusion. Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin medication that is most often used to bring down post-prandial blood sugar. Valproic acid is an antiepileptic medication that can also be used for migraines.
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    21 mins
  • Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medications 56-60

    Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medications 56-60
    Aug 22 2024
    This episode is sponsored by Freed - Freed is an amazing time saver for busy healthcare professionals! It listens, transcribes, and writes medical notes for you! Go check them out and support our sponsor! In this episode, we highlight some of the most important clinical pearls on the following medications; nitrofurantoin, fentanyl patches, isosorbide mononitrate, fluoxetine, and triamcinolone. Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic used for UTIs. We need to be careful with this medication in patients with CKD. Fentanyl is an opioid. There are many clinical quirks with fentanyl patches. For a full rundown, check out this previous podcast episode. Isosorbide mononitrate is a nitrate medication so we need to be careful with the use of PDE-5 inhibitors. Fluoxetine is an SSRI. It has a longer half-life than most SSRIs. I discuss what that means in this episode. Triamcinolone (topical) is most frequently used for redness, itching, and skin irritation.
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    21 mins
  • Top 200 Drugs – Medications 51-55

    Top 200 Drugs – Medications 51-55
    Aug 15 2024
    On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, I cover medications 51-55. They are eszopiclone, celecoxib, estrogen, moxifloxacin, and donepezil. Eszopiclone is a "Z" drug used for insomnia. Its adverse effect profile is very similar to benzodiazepines. Celecoxib is a COX-2 Inhibitor used for pain and inflammation. I discuss how this medication differs from traditional NSAIDs. Estrogen therapy is used for menopausal symptoms but carries a risk of cancer and blood clots. Moxifloxacin is a quinolone antibiotic. Binding drug interactions, boxed warnings, and QTc prolongation are potential concerns. Donepezil is a medication used for dementia. I discuss its mechanism of action and common adverse effects.
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    17 mins
  • Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Drugs 46-50

    Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Drugs 46-50
    Aug 8 2024
    On this episode, we continue with the Top 200 Drugs podcast. We cover the basics of the following drugs: tizanidine, risperidone, ramipril, pravastatin, and terazosin. Tizanidine is a skeletal muscle relaxant that has drug interactions via CYP2D6 Risperidone is a 2nd generation antipsychotic. Be on the lookout for EPS, hyperprolactinemia, sedation, and metabolic syndrome. Ramipril is an antihypertensive agent that is an ACE Inhibitor. Cough and hyperkalemia are two important adverse effects. Pravastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor that lowers LDL levels. It isn't as potent as other statins and I discuss this on the podcast episode. Terazosin is a non-selective alpha-blocker that may be used for BPH and hypertension.
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    20 mins