Author: Eric Christianson

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Tizanidine Pharmacology

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Tizanidine is primarily broken down by CYP1A2. Ciprofloxacin can inhibit CYP1A2 and cause higher tizanidine concentrations.

Tizanidine has a similar classification as clonidine. Pay attention to adverse effects like hypotension and bradycardia.

When patients taking routine tizanidine stop taking it, there is potential for a discontinuation syndrome that may lead to rebound hypertension.

Dry mouth and CNS depression are common adverse effects of tizanidine.

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!

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Valacyclovir Pharmacology

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Valacyclovir can be used for various viral infections such as herpes virus and varicella.

The primary clinical advantage of valacyclovir compared to acyclovir is that it is dosed less frequently.

Valacyclovir may have some mild CYP1A2 inhibitory effect. I discuss the clinical relevance of this on this episode.

GI upset can occur so I usually recommend to give it with food even though it may be given with or without food.

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.

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Abacavir Pharmacology

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Abacavir is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used in the management of HIV.

In patients who have the HLA-B*5701 allele, they are at much greater risk for hypersensitivity reactions.

Lactic acidosis and hepatomegaly are potential complications with the use of abacavir.

While abacavir is not known for a large number of drug interactions, I discuss a few that you have a chance to run into.

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!

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Sertraline Pharmacology

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Sertraline is an SSRI. It has the highest potential to cause diarrhea of any SSRI.

Sertraline is often called “Squirtraline” because of its potential to cause diarrhea.

Sertraline has a much shorter half-life than fluoxetine. I discuss why that may be important in this podcast episode.

I discuss the role of serotonin in platelet aggregation and how sertraline may affect this.

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!

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Fosfomycin Pharmacology

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Fosfomycin is an antibacterial agents that can be utilized in the management of uncomplicated UTIs.

Uniquely, fosfomycin comes as a packet that needs to be mixed with COOL water. I discuss this further on the podcast.

Typhoid and Cholera vaccine effectiveness may be reduced when used with fosfomycin.

When there is kidney or systemic infection involvement, it is recommended to avoid the use of fosfomycin.

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!

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Simvastatin Pharmacology

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Simvastatin use has declined over time due to more potent statins being available and due to numerous drug interactions.

Grapefruit juice can inhibit CYP3A4 which will increase the concentrations of simvastatin.

Genetic variations in SLCO1B1 can lead to patients being more susceptible to simvastatin toxicity.

Simvastatin is a lipophilic statin. I discuss why this is important and how it might impact clinical decisions.

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!

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Citalopram Pharmacology

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Citalopram is an SSRI used in the management of depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD.

How do you manage the risk of citalopram causing QTc prolongation? I discuss it further in the podcast.

Omeprazole can inhibit CYP2C19 which affects the metabolism of citalopram. I discuss the clinical impacts of this interaction in the podcast.

Geriatric dosing with citalopram is recommended to be lower than traditional adult dosing. 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!

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.

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Epoetin Alfa Pharmacology

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Epoetin alfa is essential exogenous erythropoetin which can stimulate the production of red blood cells.

It is critical to ensure adequate iron stores when using EPO.

Risks for blood clots, strokes and heart attacks are critical to recognize with the use of epoetin.

Dosage adjustments with epoetin are typically made with respect to the amount of change in hemoglobin. I discuss this further in the podcast.

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!

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Dexamethasone Pharmacology

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Dexamethasone has numerous possible indications such as asthma, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and pain associated with inflammation.

Dexamethasone is more potent than prednisone. Approximately 0.75 mg of dexamethasone is equivalent to 5 mg of prednisone.

When using dexamethasone, recall that it can raise blood sugars. Monitor this closely in patients with diabetes.

A dexamethasone suppression test helps detect excessive endogenous production of cortisol.

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!

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Sildenafil Pharmacology

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

Sildenafil’s most common and concerning adverse effect is in relation to its ability to lower blood pressure. I discuss this further in the podcast.

Sildenafil can cause rare visual changes that patients should be aware of and report immediately to their pharmacist or physician.

The sildenafil nitrate interaction is essential to know. I discuss it in this podcast episode.

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!