Author: Eric Christianson

Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

July 7, 2022June 27, 2022

Prednisolone Pharmacology

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 16:24 — 7.5MB) | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

I mentioned prednisolone to prednisone conversion in this podcast. Please go check out Pyrls.com for a free steroid conversion downloadable PDF with a free account!

On this episode, I discuss prednisolone (Orapred, Pediapred) pharmacology, adverse effects, practice pearls, and drug interactions.

Prednisolone is a systemic corticosteroid that can cause insomnia, elevations in blood sugars, and numerous effects if used long-term.

CYP3A4 is an important enzyme in the breakdown of prednisolone. Inhibitors or inducers may raise or lower drug levels respectively.

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!

Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

June 30, 2022June 27, 2022

Bisoprolol (Zebeta) Pharmacology

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 15:30 — 7.1MB) | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

On this episode, I discuss bisoprolol (Zebeta) pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and other important clinical pearls.

Bisoprolol is a beta-1 selective antagonist that can be used for atrial fibrillation, angina, and other cardiovascular indications.

It is important to remember that bisoprolol and other beta-blockers are not considered first-line agents for hypertension alone.

Beta-receptor selectivity does start to disappear with bisoprolol as you get to higher dosages. I discuss this further in the podcast.

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!

Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

June 23, 2022June 21, 2022

Lansoprazole Pharmacology

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:13 — 5.1MB) | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Lansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that can be commonly used for GERD, PUD, and GI prophylaxis.

Lansoprazole can inhibit CYP2C19 which can cause concentrations of drugs like escitalopram and citalopram to rise.

Hypomagnesemia, low B12, osteoporosis, and an increase in C. Diff risk are potential complications with longer-term PPI use.

PPIs like lansoprazole are best given 30-60 minutes before meals. This is something that patients often forget.

I discuss important drug interactions on the podcast, be sure to check out my latest project which is a 200+ page book on managing drug interactions in primary care.

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

June 16, 2022June 7, 2022

Ropinirole Pharmacology

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:19 — 13.1MB) | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Ropinirole (Requip) is a dopamine agonist that can be used in Parkinson’s disease and Restless Legs Syndrome.

Dopamine agonists like ropinirole can worsen psychiatric symptoms in some patients by causing hallucinations, and obsessive/compulsive symptoms.

Nausea, vomiting, hypotension, and fatigue are the most common adverse effects of ropinirole.

Ropinirole has drug interactions with antipsychotics and CYP1A2 inhibitors. I discuss these in greater detail in this podcast episode.

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

June 9, 2022June 8, 2022

Inhaled Budesonide Pharmacology

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:30 — 13.3MB) | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

On this episode of the podcast, I cover budesonide (Pulmicort) pharmacology. Our sponsor (Pyrls.com/rlp) for this episode is providing a FREE PDF of their inhaled corticosteroid categorizations chart (i.e. low/medium/high dose ICS) when you sign up for a free account!

The onset of action of inhaled budesonide is several hours up to a few days. Patient education is critical to ensure that patients stick with its use.

Budesonide does have a nebulized formulation that is often used in pediatrics and geriatrics.

There aren’t a ton of critical drug interactions, but you should think about medications that inhibit CYP3A4 and may have additive immunosuppressive effects.

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

June 2, 2022June 1, 2022

Epoetin Pharmacology

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:41 — 13.4MB) | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit) is an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent that can be used for various types of anemia.

ESA’s like epoetin carry a boxed warning as they increase the risk of cardiovascular events like MI, stroke, and blood clots.

Assessing iron stores is critical when epoetin is used to ensure that a non-response is not due to deficiency.

I discuss dosing adjustments of epoetin in the podcast. One must be careful about raising hemoglobin too quickly.

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

May 26, 2022May 24, 2022

Canagliflozin Pharmacology

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:46 — 6.3MB) | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Canagliflozin is an SGLT2 inhibitor. I discuss the pharmacology, dosing, adverse effects, and drug interactions of this medication.

Canagliflozin reduces blood sugar, by facilitating its exit through the urine. This can increase the risk of genitourinary infections.

A diuresis type effect can happen due to canagliflozin and this effect may be exacerbated by the use of thiazide and loop diuretics.

Hyperkalemia has been reported with the use of canagliflozin; the risk for this is increased with the use of medications like ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and aldosterone antagonists.

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!

Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

May 19, 2022May 12, 2022

Cabergoline Pharmacology

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:30 — 10.5MB) | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Cabergoline is a dopamine agonist. I discuss the pharmacology, adverse effects, and drug interactions in this podcast episode.

Be on the lookout for drugs that could oppose the effects of cabergoline such as antipsychotics and metoclopramide.

Cabergoline can be used for hyperprolactinemia management and may cause adverse effects like hypotension and GI upset.

Cabergoline has a very long half-life so it is most often only dosed 1-2 times per week.

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!

Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)