Top 200 Drugs – Medications 161-165

On this podcast episode of the top 200 drugs, I’m covering liraglutide, folic acid, clotrimazole, empagliflozin, and semaglutide.

Liraglutide is a GLP-1 agonist that can be used for weight loss as well as diabetes. The most common adverse effect of this medication is nausea.

Folic acid is a commonly used supplement in pregnancy as well as in those patients taking methotrexate. Deficiency of folic acid can lead to anemia.

Clotrimazole is an antifungal agent. It is mostly used for topical purposes such as athlete’s foot and vaginal yeast infections.

Empagliflozin was originally developed as a diabetes medication but can be helpful in patients with heart failure and CKD. I discuss this in greater detail in the podcast.

Semaglutide is another GLP-1 agonist that is used for diabetes care as well as weight loss. The formulation used for diabetes is Ozempic while the weight loss product is Wegovy.

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

Liraglutide Pharmacology

On this episode, I discuss liraglutide pharmacology, drug interactions, and adverse effects.

Liraglutide is well known to cause nausea. It is important to assess the severity of nausea as it may subside in some patients as they gain tolerability to the medication.

We mentioned the 2022 Diabetes Guideline Cheat Sheet in the podcast – you can get that for free at pyrls.com/rlp

Liraglutide has a fairly low risk of hypoglycemia when used alone, but this risk increases when it is used with insulin or sulfonylureas.

Saxenda is the weight loss formulation of liraglutide and dosing is higher for weight management than it is for diabetes management.

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

GLP-1 Agonist Pharmacology

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 diarrhea and vomiting in some cases.

There is boxed warning on the GLP-1 agonists. Be aware of patients who have had a history of thyroid cancer as this may be a contraindication.

GLP-1 agonists can help lower A1C and stimulate weight loss which is a huge benefit for most patients with Type 2 diabetes.

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