Tag: adverse effects

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Osteoporosis Medications Part 2 – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

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Bisphosphonates are commonly used to treat osteoporosis, but several non-bisphosphonate osteoporosis medications can help reduce fracture risk. Pharmacists should understand the mechanisms, adverse effects, and clinical pearls associated with these alternatives. On this podcast episode, I will cover four of the most commonly used “non-bisphosphonate” osteoporosis medications.

Denosumab (Prolia) is a RANKL inhibitor that decreases osteoclast activity and bone resorption. It is administered subcutaneously every six months.

Teriparatide (Forteo) and abaloparatide (Tymlos) stimulate bone formation through the parathyroid hormone pathway. These medications may be appropriate for patients at very high fracture risk.

Raloxifene (Evista) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that reduces bone resorption. It primarily reduces vertebral fracture risk and may lower the risk of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Important adverse effects include hot flashes and an increased risk of venous thromboembolism.

Calcitonin (Miacalcin) inhibits osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. However, its effectiveness for fracture prevention is limited, making it a less-preferred option for long-term osteoporosis treatment.

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Osteoporosis Medications – Test Prep and Practice Pearls: Bisphosphonates

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Bisphosphonates are commonly used to prevent and treat osteoporosis, making them an important topic for pharmacy, nursing, and medical exams. In this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology Podcast, we review high-yield bisphosphonate facts and practical pearls to help you prepare for exams and improve medication management.

Topics covered include:

  • Key differences between alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate, and zoledronic acid
  • Mechanism of action and how bisphosphonates reduce bone resorption
  • Dosing schedules and important administration instructions
  • Common adverse effects, including gastrointestinal irritation
  • Osteonecrosis of the jaw and atypical femoral fractures
  • Renal function considerations and important contraindications
  • Drug interactions and tips to improve medication absorption

Whether you are preparing for a pharmacy board exam, studying pharmacology, or reviewing osteoporosis treatment in clinical practice, this episode highlights the key bisphosphonate concepts worth remembering.

Listen to the Real Life Pharmacology Podcast for practical medication insights that help connect pharmacology knowledge with real-world patient care.

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NSAIDs Part 3 – Test Prep and Practice Pearls; Nabumetone, Diclofenac, Meloxicam, Piroxicam, Etodolac, Indomethacin, Sulidac, and Ketorolac

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In this episode of Real Life Pharmacology, we take a closer look at several NSAIDs that are commonly encountered in clinical practice: nabumetone, diclofenac, meloxicam, piroxicam, etodolac, indomethacin, sulindac, and ketorolac.

These medications may all belong to the same general class, but they have important differences in dosing, adverse effects, drug interactions, and clinical use. We’ll discuss which NSAIDs tend to be more COX-2 selective, which ones carry significant gastrointestinal or cardiovascular concerns, and why some agents are used much more cautiously than others.

We’ll also cover practical pharmacology pearls for medications such as indomethacin, which is commonly used for acute gout, ketorolac, which is generally reserved for short-term pain management, and diclofenac, which has important cardiovascular considerations.

Whether you’re studying for a pharmacology exam, working with patients, or simply want to strengthen your knowledge of NSAIDs, this episode focuses on the clinically relevant points you need to know about these eight medications.

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NSAIDs Part 2 – Test Prep and Practice Pearls for Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and Celecoxib

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Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib are some of the most commonly used NSAIDs, but they are not interchangeable when it comes to safety, indications, and patient-specific risks. In this episode of Real Life Pharmacology, we compare these four medications and highlight the key differences pharmacists and other healthcare professionals need to know.

We’ll review how NSAIDs work, including COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition, and discuss their effects on pain, inflammation, platelets, the gastrointestinal system, kidneys, cardiovascular system, and fluid balance. We’ll also compare the GI, cardiovascular, renal, and heart failure risks of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib.

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NSAIDs Part 1 – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

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On this podcast episode, I cover the basics of NSAIDs, including how they work, what they are used for, significant drug interactions, and what adverse effects are important to monitor. I’ll educate about some of the major risks associated with NSAIDs and what I look out for as a practicing pharmacist.

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

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Skeletal Muscle Relaxants – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

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On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, I’m going to cover important practice pearls on skeletal muscle relaxants. Important medications that will be covered in this podcast include baclofen, cyclobenzaprine, tizanidine, and diazepam.

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

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GI Antispasmodics – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

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Abdominal cramping and intestinal spasms are common complaints in patients with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Two of the most frequently prescribed medications for these symptoms are dicyclomine and hyoscyamine. These medications work by blocking muscarinic receptors, reducing smooth muscle contractions in the gastrointestinal tract and helping relieve painful spasms.

While these medications can be effective, they are not without risks. Because of their anticholinergic effects, patients may experience dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, dizziness, and urinary retention. Older adults are particularly susceptible to these adverse effects, making careful patient selection and monitoring especially important. Patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), glaucoma, or cognitive impairment may be at higher risk for complications.

In this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, we’ll review how dicyclomine and hyoscyamine work, discuss their most common clinical uses, compare their adverse effect profiles, and highlight practical education points to help optimize safe and effective use.

Huge thank you to our sponsor – Mechanism of Action Podcast; Go check them out on all your favorite podcast platforms!

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

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Antacids – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

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Heartburn is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints, and antacids remain a go-to option for fast symptom relief. In this episode, we’ll discuss how common antacids like calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, and sodium bicarbonate work to neutralize stomach acid. We’ll also review their advantages, common adverse effects, important drug interactions, and considerations for patients with kidney disease. Whether you’re a healthcare professional looking for practical clinical pearls or simply want to better understand over-the-counter heartburn medications, this episode provides a concise overview of when antacids are appropriate—and when they may not be the best choice.

Special thanks to the Mechanism of Action Podcast for sponsoring this episode – go check it out!

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Gastroparesis Medications – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

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Gastroparesis can be a frustrating condition for both patients and clinicians, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, early satiety, bloating, and poor glycemic control significantly affecting quality of life. Medication management often requires balancing effectiveness with safety, especially since many commonly prescribed drugs can either improve or worsen gastric emptying. In this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, we’ll review the medications used to treat gastroparesis, discuss their mechanisms of action, highlight important adverse effects, and identify medications that may contribute to or exacerbate delayed gastric emptying.

Huge thank you to our sponsor – Mechanism of Action Podcast; Go check them out on all your favorite podcast platforms!

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

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H2 Blockers – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

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H2 blockers may not receive as much attention as proton pump inhibitors, but they continue to play an important role in managing acid-related disorders. In this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, we’ll review how H2 blockers work, compare the available agents, discuss important adverse effects, renal dose adjustments, drug interactions, and identify the patients who are most likely to benefit from these medications. Whether you’re a pharmacist, nurse, pharmacy technician, physician, or student, this episode provides practical clinical pearls you can apply immediately to patient care.

In this episode, I also discuss a new podcast I discovered – go check out the Mechanism of Action Podcast! It is an entertaining and educational look at how many of the medications used today were discovered and derived.