Inhaled Budesonide Pharmacology

On this episode of the podcast, I cover budesonide (Pulmicort) pharmacology. Our sponsor (Pyrls.com/rlp) for this episode is providing a FREE PDF of their inhaled corticosteroid categorizations chart (i.e. low/medium/high dose ICS) when you sign up for a free account!

The onset of action of inhaled budesonide is several hours up to a few days. Patient education is critical to ensure that patients stick with its use.

Budesonide does have a nebulized formulation that is often used in pediatrics and geriatrics.

There aren’t a ton of critical drug interactions, but you should think about medications that inhibit CYP3A4 and may have additive immunosuppressive effects.

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

Salmeterol (Serevent) Pharmacology

In this episode, I cover salmeterol (Serevent) pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions and special warnings with this medication.

Salmeterol is a long acting beta agonist that can be used in combination with inhaled corticosteroids for management of asthma.

Salmeterol can be used as monotherapy in COPD and should not be used as monotherapy in asthma.

Elevations in pulse and blood pressure can happen with a beta agonist like salmeterol.

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!

Flippin’ Pharmacology Flash Cards

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)

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

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

Umeclidinium Pharmacology

On this episode, I discuss umeclidinium pharmacology, adverse effects, patient education pearls, and drug interactions.

Umeclidinium is used in the management of COPD. Below is an excellent quick overview of the COPD guidelines from pyrls.com – You can get the full PDF by signing up for a free account at pryls.com/rlp

Umeclidinium is a long-acting anticholinergic (anti-muscarinic) LAMA and as you can see from the figure above drugs from this class are frequently used in COPD management.

The brand name of umeclidinium is Incruse Ellipta. Ellipta refers to the device and not the drug umeclidinium.

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!

Flippin’ Pharmacology Flash Cards

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)

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

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

Roflumilast (Daliresp) Pharmacology

On this episode I discuss roflumilast (Daliresp) pharmacology, adverse effects, and important drug interactions.

Roflumilast is indicated to reduce the incidence of COPD exacerbations.

Roflumilast is significantly broken down by CYP3A4 so there are numerous drug interactions that we have to take into account.

Psychiatric issues, GI upset, and weight loss are all potential adverse effects due to roflumilast.

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!

Flippin’ Pharmacology Flash Cards

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)

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

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

Tiotropium Pharmacology

On this episode, I discuss tiotropium pharmacology. In addition, I cover adverse effects, administration pearls, and drug interactions.

Tiotropium blocks acetylcholine from binding the M3 receptor in the lungs. This leads to a relaxation of the bronchial smooth muscle.

Because tiotropium has anticholinergic activity, there is a potential for anticholinergic adverse effects like constipation, urinary retention, and dry mouth.

The tiotropium Handihaler can be confusing to patients. I discuss medication misadventures 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!

Varenicline Pharmacology

Varenicline is a partial nicotine agonist that can be used to help patients quit smoking.

The two most common adverse effects that I have seen in clinical practice with varenicline are GI upset and insomnia/vivid dreams.

GI upset with varenicline can be reduced by giving the drug with food and a full glass of water. A dose reduction may also be considered.

Patients should identify a goal stop date for smoking cessation prior to begininng the use of varenicline.

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!

Fluticasone, Umeclidinium, and Vilanterol Pharmacology

Fluticasone, Umeclidinium, and Vilanterol is a combination medication used in the setting of COPD. I discuss the pharmacology of this agent further in this episode.

Fluticasone is the inhaled corticosteroid portion of the drug while umeclidinium is a LAMA and vilanterol is a LABA medication.

Drug interactions aren’t incredibly common or strongly clinically significant, but I discuss some of them with Trelegy Ellipta.

Having a once-daily dose can be advantageous to help improve patient adherence. Fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol comes as a once-daily combination.

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!

Nicotine Patch Pharmacology

Nicotine replacement therapy is an important tool in helping our patients quit smoking. There are lots of clinical pearls involving the pharmacology of nicotine patches and I explore them in this episode.

Nicotine patches differ from the gum and other acute relief forms in that they are intended to provide a consistent level of nicotine in the body.

The initial dosing of nicotine patches is dependent upon the number of cigarettes smoked by the patient. I discuss it further in the podcast.

When applying nicotine patches, it is important to remember to utilize a clean, non-hairy area to ensure the patch adheres to the skin appropriately.

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!

Budesonide Formoterol Pharmacology

Budesonide and Formoterol Pharmacology

Budesonide/formoterol inhalation is sold under the brand name Symbicort.

Budesonide/formoterol is a combination agent that is used in the management of COPD and asthma.

Budesonide/formoterol is a combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta-agonist.

GINA guidelines now allow for the use of budesonide/formoterol in the management of acute asthma exacerbation.

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

Short Acting Beta Agonists RLP Episode 023

On this episode we are going to break down the pharmacology of albuterol and levalbuterol.  Other items addressed;

  • Difference between beta-agonists and beta-blockers
  • Rule of 2
  • Administration pearls and clinical practice problems

Enjoy the episode and share it with your friends if you are benefitting from it!