Real Life Pharmacology - Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals

Eric Christianson, PharmD; Pharmacology Expert and Clinical Pharmacist
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Real Life Pharmacology - Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals

Pharmacology is one of the most challenge topics you will encounter as a healthcare professional, but it can be the most rewarding with a good understanding. Whether you are preparing to be a nurse, physician, physician assistant, pharmacist, dentist, nurse practitioner, pharmacy technician, pharmacologist, or other healthcare professional, this podcast will help you better understand pharmacology. In addition to giving you the basics like mechanism of action, side effects, drug interactions, etc., you will also be exposed to how medications actually impact patients in real life. In the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, Eric Christianson, PharmD shares his real world experiences about how a medication's mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, adverse effects, and drug interactions can actually impact patients in both a positive and a potentially negative way. Eric Christianson PharmD is the author of the popular clinical pharmacy blog Meded101.com. People who are passionate about nursing, medicine, or pharmacy will find this podcast beneficial in helping them prepare for passing exams. This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice or intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Please seek advice from your pharmacist or primary care provider if you have questions about medications that you are taking.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medications 116-120

    In this episode of the Top 200 Drugs Podcast, I cover glyburide, citalopram, olmesratan, carvedilol, and tiotropium. Glyburide is a sulfonylurea that is well known to cause hypoglycemia and weight gain because it stimulates the pancreas to increase insulin release. Citalopram is an SSRI most well known for its potential to increase the risk for QTc prolongation. It has a notorious drug interaction with omeprazole Olmesartan is an ARB that can be used for hypertension. Hyperkalemia is an electrolyte imbalance that can be caused by its use. Carvedilol is one of the few beta-blockers with significant alpha-blocking and beta-blocking activity. I discuss what this means in this Top 200 drugs podcast. Tiotropium is an anticholinergic medication that can open the airway. It is most commonly used for COPD.

    20 min

  2. NOV 7

    Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medications 111-115

    Clindamycin is an antibiotic for infection. It inhibits protein synthesis by binding to the 50s ribosomal subunit and is well known to contribute to C. Diff. risk. Acetaminophen is a common over-the-counter medication that relieves pain and fever. It does not have much benefit in reducing inflammation, however. Ferrous sulfate is a supplement that can be useful in treating anemia. Dark stools and constipation are two common adverse effects. Eletriptan is a medication used to abort migraine headaches. It has serotonin action. I discuss the potential for interactions with other serotonergic medications. Methocarbamol is an older skeletal muscle relaxant that makes an appearance on the Beers list as it can cause sedation, confusion, and increase the risk of falls.

    25 min

  3. OCT 31

    Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medication 106-110

    Zoledronic acid is a bisphosphonate that can be used to manage hypercalcemia of malignancy and osteoporosis. Glipizide is an anti-diabetes agent that is classified as a sulfonylurea. Weight gain and hypoglycemia and two big concerns with this agent. Lactulose is classified as a laxative but is more commonly used to reduce ammonia levels in hepatic encephalopathy. Rabeprazole is a PPI used to reduce gastric acid secretions and improve conditions such as GERD, peptic ulcer disease, and Barrett's esophagus. Methotrexate is classically grouped with oncology agents but is frequently used in autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease.

    20 min

  4. OCT 24

    Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medications 101-105

    On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, we cover medications 101-105 of the top 200 drugs Atomoxetine is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that is used in the management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Zolpidem is a medication that is used for insomnia. It has a very similar adverse effect profile to benzodiazepines. Advair is a commonly used respiratory medication for asthma. It is a combination of a long-acting beta agonist and inhaled corticosteroid. Levofloxacin is a quinolone antibiotic that has a boxed warning for neuropathy, tendon rupture, and CNS adverse effects. Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant that is highly anticholinergic. Dry eyes, dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, sedation, and memory impairment are potential adverse effects.

    26 min

  5. OCT 17

    Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medications 96-100

    We have finally reached 100 of the top 200 drugs podcasts! On this episode, we tackle methadone. This is a complex opioid used for opioid use disorder and may also be used for pain. Enalapril is an ACE inhibitor that is used for hypertension. Cough and hyperkalemia are two major adverse effects to remember. Oseltamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor. In patients with poor renal function, we need to make sure to adjust the dose accordingly. Ropinirole is a dopamine agonist. This medication is primarily used for restless leg syndrome but is also indicated for Parkinson's disease. Penicillin VK is the original penicillin antibiotic. Common indications of this medication are strep throat, skin and soft tissue infections, and syphilis.

    22 min

  6. OCT 10

    Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medications 91-95

    On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology Podcast, I cover 5 more medications of the top 200. Fenofibrate is a medication used primarily to reduce triglycerides. This medication differs from statins which tend to focus on LDL management. Doxazosin is an alpha-blocker. The primary indications of doxazosin are hypertension and BPH. Naproxen is an NSAID. Of all the NSAIDs, naproxen is one of the lower-risk agents with regard to cardiovascular risk. Spironolactone is an aldosterone antagonist and also classified as a potassium sparing diuretic. Memantine is an NMDA antagonist that is indicated for the management of Alzheimer's dementia. If you are looking for study materials and our list of popular Amazon books, check out meded101.com/store!

    24 min

  7. OCT 3

    Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medications 86-90

    On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, we cover 5 more medications in the top 200. Metronidazole is an antibiotic for infection. One of the most common complaints from patients involves reporting of a metallic taste in the mouth. Levetiracetam is an anti-seizure medication. Sedation, dizziness, and other adverse effects of the central nervous system are the most common complications. Colchicine is a gout medication. The most memorable side effect associated with this medication is diarrhea. Olanzapine is an antipsychotic. Olanzapine carries a higher risk for metabolic syndrome compared to other antipsychotics. Dutasteride is a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor that is indicated for the treatment of BPH. If you are looking for all of our study materials and Amazon books, check them out at Meded101.com/store!

    17 min

  8. SEP 26

    Top 200 Drugs Podcast – Medications 81-85

    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!

    23 min
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Pharmacology is one of the most challenge topics you will encounter as a healthcare professional, but it can be the most rewarding with a good understanding. Whether you are preparing to be a nurse, physician, physician assistant, pharmacist, dentist, nurse practitioner, pharmacy technician, pharmacologist, or other healthcare professional, this podcast will help you better understand pharmacology. In addition to giving you the basics like mechanism of action, side effects, drug interactions, etc., you will also be exposed to how medications actually impact patients in real life. In the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, Eric Christianson, PharmD shares his real world experiences about how a medication's mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, adverse effects, and drug interactions can actually impact patients in both a positive and a potentially negative way. Eric Christianson PharmD is the author of the popular clinical pharmacy blog Meded101.com. People who are passionate about nursing, medicine, or pharmacy will find this podcast beneficial in helping them prepare for passing exams. This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice or intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Please seek advice from your pharmacist or primary care provider if you have questions about medications that you are taking.

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