Top 200 Drugs – Medications 156-160

Welcome back to the Real Life Pharmacology podcast! We are on the home stretch of the top 200 medications. This is meant to be a quicker refresher of some of the most important drugs you’ll come across in practice. Please be sure to go search the archives at RealLifePharmacology.com if you are looking for more information on one specific medication. We have over 300 individual episodes on specific drugs!

On this episode of the Top 200 medications, we’ve covered the medications below.

Niaspan (niacin) is vitamin B3 and may be used in patients who fail other therapies for triglyceride management.

Uroxatral (alfuzosin) is a selective alpha-blocker that can be helpful in relieving urinary retention symptoms in BPH.

Biaxin (clarithromycin) is a macrolide antibiotic that is notorious for many drug interactions because it inhibits CYP3A4.

Zomig (zolmitriptan) is a “triptan” medication that can be used for the acute relief of migraine headaches.

Invokana (canagliflozin) was one of the first SGLT2 inhibitors invented that can be used to lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetes.

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

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Dutasteride (Avodart) Pharmacology Podcast

Dutasteride (Avodart) is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. I discuss the pharmacology, adverse effects, and drug interactions on this podcast.

Dutasteride reduces the size of the prostate over time. It takes a significant amount of time to provide symptom relief (usually at least 3-6 months).

Dutasteride is broken down by CYP3A4 to a minor extent which means that strong CYP3A4 inhibitors may increase drug concentrations.

When using dutasteride for BPH, remember to review the medication list for drugs that can cause urinary retention such as anticholintiercs and alpha-agonists.

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 Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101

Tamsulosin Pharmacology

On this episode of the RLP podcast, I discuss tamsulosin pharmacology.

Tamsulosin inhibits alpha receptors which helps improve urine flow in patients with BPH.

As an off-label use, you may see tamsulosin used to try to aid in the passage of renal stones.

Tamsulosin concentrations may be increased by CYP3A4 inhibitors and reduced by CYP3A4 inducers.

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!

Finasteride Pharmacology

On this episode of the RLP podcast, I discuss finasteride pharmacology.

Finasteride can be used in the management of BPH or male pattern baldness.

By reducing overall androgen burden, finasteride can help to shrink the prostate and improve BPH symptoms.

Finasteride takes a long time to work, so this is an important education point for patients.

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!