Cephalexin (Keflex) Pharmacology Podcast

On this podcast episode, I discuss cephalexin pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and much more!

Penicillin allergies and cross-reactivity are common questions with regard to the use of cephalexin and I discuss this briefly in the podcast episode.

Cephalexin is a first-generation cephalosporin with its primary sweet spot being gram-positive bacteria like Staph and Strep species.

Warfarin, probenecid, zinc, and a couple of others are potential medications that can interact with cephalexin. I discuss this further in this podcast episode.

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Ceftriaxone Pharmacology

On this episode, I discuss ceftriaxone pharmacology, adverse effect, coverage, and drug interactions. Ceftriaxone is currently a drug of choice for the STI Gonorrhea. Pyrls.com has an amazing chart on all the STIs and their drugs of choice that you can get for free when you sign up for a free account!

Ceftriaxone is a third-generation cephalosporin that is used for numerous indications such as pneumonia, meningitis, gonorrhea, and many more.

It is important to remember that ceftriaxone can cover many staph and strep species but it does NOT cover MRSA.

Ceftriaxone does have some risks, particularly in pediatric patients. I discuss elevated bilirubin and calcium binding risks in the podcast.

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

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Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

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Drug Interactions In Primary Care (Amazing Resource for Practicing Clinicians)

Perils of Polypharmacy (Great Resource for Those Who Work in Geriatrics)

Lactulose Pharmacology

Lactulose is an osmotic laxative but it is rarely used for this purpose. I discuss lactulose pharmacology in this episode.

Elevated ammonia levels are an issue in hepatic encephalopathy. Lactulose can help manage this issue.

Lactulose is dosed to 2-3 soft stools per day when used to reduce ammonia levels.

Lactulose can increase the effect of warfarin and raise INR; I discuss this further on this episode.

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

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Flippin’ Pharmacology Flash Cards

Pharmacology Crossword Puzzle Book (Over 2,000 Clues/Questions!)

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Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Drug Interactions In Primary Care (Amazing Resource for Practicing Clinicians)

Perils of Polypharmacy (Great Resource for Those Who Work in Geriatrics)

Ticagrelor Pharmacology

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

Ticagrelor has a warning with regards to the use of aspirin. Higher doses of aspirin can impair the effectiveness of ticagrelor and I discuss this further on this episode.

Bleeding is the major adverse effect from ticagrelor and naturally, hematocrit and hemoglobin are important monitoring parameters.

I discuss CYP3A4 drug interactions on this episode and how it may affect ticagrelor.

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

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Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Drug Interactions In Primary Care (Amazing Resource for Practicing Clinicians)

Perils of Polypharmacy (Great Resource for Those Who Work in Geriatrics)

Lurasidone Pharmacology

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

CYP3A4 is an important enzyme in the breakdown of lurasidone. I discuss this further on this episode.

Lurasidone is best taken with food as this enhances absorption and helps improve drug concentrations.

Lurasidone tends to have a lower risk for metabolic syndrome compared to other antipsychotics which is a nice advantage.

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

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Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Drug Interactions In Primary Care (Amazing Resource for Practicing Clinicians)

Perils of Polypharmacy (Great Resource for Those Who Work in Geriatrics)

Isavuconazole Pharmacology

Isavuconazole is an azole antifungal that can be used for various fungal infections.

In this episode, I discuss isavuconazole pharmacology, adverse effect, drug interactions, and pharmacokinetics.

Isavuconazole is interestingly associated with QT shortening which is different from most azole antifungals that cause QT prolongation.

Oral bioavailability of isavuconazole is nearly 100% so dose conversions between IV and oral are typically not difficult to navigate.

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

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Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Drug Interactions In Primary Care (Amazing Resource for Practicing Clinicians)

Perils of Polypharmacy (Great Resource for Those Who Work in Geriatrics)

Ethinyl Estradiol

On this episode, I cover ethinyl estradiol pharmacology. This is a common component of oral contraceptives. You have to check out this free resource (with free account) from Pyrls.com/rlp which lists all the different combinations and brand names. All it takes is to simply sign up for a free account here.

Ethinyl estradiol dosing can vary. Breakthrough bleeding is a major reason why a patient might prefer a higher dose.

Blood clot risk is a real problem with ethinyl estradiol. There are numerous situations where we should avoid ethinyl estradiol and I cover them in this episode.

Be careful with enzyme inducers like carbamazepine, rifampin, etc. as they can reduce the concentrations of oral contraceptives

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

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Flippin’ Pharmacology Flash Cards

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NAPLEX Study Materials

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Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Drug Interactions In Primary Care (Amazing Resource for Practicing Clinicians)

Perils of Polypharmacy (Great Resource for Those Who Work in Geriatrics)

Olmesartan Pharmacology

On this episode, I discuss olmesartan (Benicar) pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and pharmacokinetics.

Olmesartan can cause a unique GI adverse effect called enteropathy. I discuss this on this podcast episode.

Important monitoring parameters for olmesartan include potassium, renal function, and blood pressure.

Olmesartan has a longer half-life than losartan. I discuss how this might be advantageous in clinical practice.

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

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Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Drug Interactions In Primary Care (Amazing Resource for Practicing Clinicians)

Perils of Polypharmacy (Great Resource for Those Who Work in Geriatrics)

Desvenlafaxine Pharmacology

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

Desvenlafaxine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that can be used for depression.

Renal elimination is an important method of deactivation of desvenlafaxine. Dose adjustments may be recommended as renal function drops below 50 mls/min.

Withdrawal syndrome due is a risk with desvenlafaxine as it has a significantly short half-life.

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

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Flippin’ Pharmacology Flash Cards

Pharmacology Crossword Puzzle Book (Over 2,000 Clues/Questions!)

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Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Drug Interactions In Primary Care (Amazing Resource for Practicing Clinicians)

Perils of Polypharmacy (Great Resource for Those Who Work in Geriatrics)

Pramipexole (Mirapex) Pharmacology

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

Dopamine agonists like pramipexole 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 pramipexole.

Pramipexole is primarily eliminated through the urine. I discuss how this matters clinically 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!

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Flippin’ Pharmacology Flash Cards

Pharmacology Crossword Puzzle Book (Over 2,000 Clues/Questions!)

NAPLEX Study Materials

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BCMTMS Study Materials

Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Drug Interactions In Primary Care (Amazing Resource for Practicing Clinicians)

Perils of Polypharmacy (Great Resource for Those Who Work in Geriatrics)