Tag: drug interactions

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Parkinson’s Disease – Part 1; Sinemet Practice Pearls and Test Prep

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In this episode of Real Life Pharmacology, we take a closer look at Parkinson’s disease and one of its most important treatments, Sinemet (carbidopa/levodopa). We review the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s, how carbidopa and levodopa work together to improve dopamine levels in the brain, and important clinical practice pearls for prescribing and managing therapy. We also discuss dosing considerations, timing of administration, available dosage forms, and strategies to help optimize symptom control while minimizing adverse effects.

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Gout Pharmacotherapy – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

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Gout pharmacotherapy involves more than just treating painful flare-ups. In this episode of Real Life Pharmacology, we review the most commonly used gout medications, including allopurinol, febuxostat, colchicine, probenecid, NSAIDs, and corticosteroids. Learn how these medications work, their indications, important adverse effects, clinically significant drug interactions, and practical prescribing pearls. We also discuss uric acid treatment goals, prevention of recurrent gout attacks, renal dosing considerations, and important medication safety concerns. Whether you are a pharmacist, nurse, physician, or healthcare professional preparing for a board certification exam, this episode will help strengthen your understanding of gout treatment and evidence-based gout pharmacotherapy.

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!

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Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101

Pharmacy Technician Bootcamp (PTCB Exam Prep Course) – 4.8/5 star course rating

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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.

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!

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Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101

Pharmacy Technician Bootcamp (PTCB Exam Prep Course) – 4.8/5 star course rating

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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!

Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources!

NAPLEX Study Materials

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BCACP Study Materials

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Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101

Pharmacy Technician Bootcamp (PTCB Exam Prep Course) – 4.8/5 star course rating

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Opioids Part 3 – Test Prep and Practice Pearls – Codeine and Fentanyl

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On this podcast episode, we will explore the most important practice pearls of codeine and fentanyl. Both medications are opioids, but codeine is frequently found in combination with acetaminophen. Fentanyl has numerous unique dosage forms, including the transdermal formulation which is a source of frequent test questions. I break these two medications down in this podcast episode.

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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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Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101

Pharmacy Technician Bootcamp (PTCB Exam Prep Course) – 4.8/5 star course rating

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Suzetrigine Pharmacology

Suzetrigine is a relatively newer analgesic offering a novel approach to treating acute pain without acting as an opioid. By selectively blocking the Nav1.8 sodium channel found in peripheral pain-sensing nerves, suzetrigine helps reduce pain transmission while minimizing many of the risks associated with traditional opioid therapy. In this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, we’ll review how suzetrigine works, its FDA-approved indication, common adverse effects, and where it may fit into clinical practice. Whether you’re a pharmacist, pharmacy student, nurse, or other healthcare professional, this episode will provide practical insights to help you better understand this analgesic.

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!

NAPLEX Study Materials

BCPS Study Materials

BCACP Study Materials

BCGP Study Materials

BCMTMS Study Materials

Nursing Pharmacology Review Course

Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated)

Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller)

Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101

Pharmacy Technician Bootcamp (PTCB Exam Prep Course) – 4.8/5 star course rating

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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!

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.