Episodes

Iron supplements frequently cause GI upset. Monitor patients for nausea, vomiting, and constipation issues. There are three main salt forms of iron. Ferrous fumurate has the most elemental iron, ferrous sulfate (2nd most), and ferrous gluconate has the least. Iron can bind up antibiotics and reduce their effectiveness. Two classic examples include the quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics. Anemia can be caused by numerous concerns, however, iron deficiency is a very common cause. Ferritin i...

On this episode, I cover common loop diuretics. They include furosemide, torsemide, and bumetanide. Loop diuretics are potent agents that can help in the management of heart failure and ascites. Loops diuretics help promote the loss of excessive fluid through the urine. A common patient complaint from loop diuretics is that they can cause frequent urination. Because of this, we typically dose these drugs earlier in the day. Kidney function and electrolyte monitoring is critical with the use ...

On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology Podcast, I cover the pharmacology of methotrexate. Methotrexate has a few different indications. It can be used for treatment of cancer. These doses are typically going to be much higher than standard low doses for other conditions. Lower dose methotrexate is often used for autoimmune type conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Folic acid should be supplemented with use of methotrexate to help reduce the risk of adverse effects. Live...

On this episode, I discuss cyclobenzaprine pharmacology. Cyclobenzaprine is an older skeletal muscle relaxant. Cyclobenzaprine can have a significant number of anticholinergic side effects. The anticholinergic side effects of cyclobenzaprine can include sedation, dry eyes, dry mouth, urinary retention, and confusion. Cyclobenzaprine is not well tolerated in the elderly and cause more problems in that patient population. Cyclobenzaprine has a similar structure to the Tricyclic antidepressants...

Lithium is a drug that has a ton of clinical pearls. On this episode, I talk about the pharmacology, side effects, drug interactions, and critical practice pearls. Kidney function is very important to monitor in our patients taking lithium. Lithium can accumulate in renal impairment. Thyroid function can be altered by lithium. Be sure to regularly monitor TSH in a patient on chronic lithium. Over-the-counter NSAID can interact and raise lithium levels. This is something you need to watch out ...

Pseudoephedrine is commonly used to help relieve nasal congestion. There are some adverse effects you need to be aware of with pseudoephedrine. Insomnia, increase in blood pressure, and urinary retention are all possible. When I assess a patient using pseudoephedrine, I like to investigate blood pressure, history of urinary problems and insomnia history. Pseudoephedrine can cause the prescribing cascade. I lay out examples in the podcast. Pseudoephedrine should not be utilized with MAOI’s if...

On this episode, I discuss fentanyl pharmacology. I address important considerations that you must remember with fentanyl patches. Those considerations include how pharmacokinetics can impact our patients. I also break down common side effects of opioids as well as potential common drug interactions. Drug diversion and illicit use is an important consideration when using fentanyl. I also touch on this topic. Nearly 1,000 healthcare professionals have signed up and received this FREE Top 200...

Quinolones are a class of antibiotics that can be used for various infections. I discuss the pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions and other items on this podcast episode. On this episode, I talk about the warnings associated with quinolones. Quinolone use has subsided over time, not due to the fact that they are ineffective, but to rising concerns and warnings about adverse effects. Quinolones can interact with quite a few medications. I’ve seen a case of amiodarone and levofloxac...

On this episode I discuss why we may need to use potassium supplements. I also talk about a medication error situation involving potassium that lead to a death. It is important to remember other medications that can raise potassium levels. I also talk about a dosage form of potassium that might make patients ask some questions. Enjoy the show and I hope you sign up to get our free 31 page PDF!

On this episode, I talk about apixaban (Eliquis) pharmacology. I also cover adverse effects like bleeding and what to monitor. Drug interactions are a concern with apixaban and I discuss a few items that you may want to look out for. It is important to remember that apixaban does require dose adjustments in certain situations as well. Check out our free giveaway for healthcare professionals and students. It is a top 200 study guide of highly testable pearls! (Free 31 page PDF)

Metoclopramide Pharmacology Metoclopramide can block dopamine receptors as part of it’s mechanism of action. I discuss the clinical implications from this in the podcast. Metoclopramide can exacerbate Parkison’s disorder so you need to be careful in that type of patient. Metoclopramide is dosed frequently, which can potentially be a downside as far as patient adherence goes. Metoclopramide has a few potential interactions that you should be aware of. I talk about those in this episode. Be s...

On this episode, I discuss the mechanism of action of the SGLT-2 Inhibitors and how they lower blood sugar. These drugs are classically used for diabetes and eliminate blood sugar through the urine. One of the potential side effects is that these drugs can increase the risk of genital infections and urinary tract infections. There is a boxed warning on canagliflozin for its potential to increase the risk of amputation. These drugs also have a mild diuretic type effect and can potentially cau...

On this episode, I discuss how the tetracyclines impact bacterial protein synthesis. I also remind you of several medications that fall in the tetracycline class. Doxycycline is by far the medication I see used the most. You’ll also learn about common side effects like GI upset and photosensitivity. I cover why this class of medication is typically avoided in pediatrics and pregnancy. I hope you enjoy the show and don’t forget to snag your FREE 31 page PDF study guide!

I break down the mechanism of action, side effects, and important drug interactions you need to know. I give you a sense of what things you might actually encounter in practice when working with patients who take allopurinol. Allopurinol is a top 200 drug. Remember to subscribe to the website reallifepharmacology.com for the Free 31 page PDF where I give you three highly testable pearls on the top 200 drugs. In addition to the 31 page PDF for subscribing, you will get a free 100 question pharm...

In this episode I discuss bupropion pharmacology. I cover the mechanism of action, side effects, and some relevant drug interactions. Important information in this episode includes: Possible indications for bupropion like depression and smoking cessation Risk of lowering seizure threshold Inhibition of CYP2D6 Dosage form considerations Pearls for onset of bupropion’s action

On this episode, I cover mirtazapine pharmacology. We will review how mirtazapine works in the body and how those cause adverse effects and benefit out patient. I will also look at the side effect profile and why mirtazapine may be harmful or helpful in our patients. We cover drug interactions for mirtazapine in the podcast as well. Mirtazapine is an antidepressant and I mention discontinuation syndrome as well as what I see as being done when converting a patient from one antidepressant to ...

The Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors are a class of medication used for various mental health disorder and pain syndromes. I talk about the pharmacology of the SNRI’s and how it relates to their adverse effect profile. The pharmacology of SNRI’s also plays an important role in why they are efficacious for treatment of pain compared to the SSRI’s. In addition to the adverse effects, I will outline some common drug interactions and which medications might be affected by the SNRI’s....

The TCA’s are one of the older antidepressant type medications that can be used for a whole host of reasons. They are not without potential concerns however. I cover the MOA, drug interactions, side effects and clinical practice pearls of the tricyclic antidepressants in this episode.

Warfarin is one of the most notorious medications when it comes to drug interactions. I cover the MOA, side effects, drug interactions, and pharmacology of the medication. Enjoy the episode and don’t for get to subscribe to get our free study resources!

On today’s episode, I talk about the pharmacology of carbidopa/levodopa. We cover drug interactions, adverse effects, mechanism of action and why is this drug dose so frequently? Hope you enjoy the show and take advantage of our FREE giveaway, simply for following the show!

On today’s episode, I discuss spironolactone and eplerenone. We cover the mechanism of action, monitoring parameters, adverse effects, and of course notable drug interactions. Enjoy the show and please take advantage of our FREE giveaway by following the podcast via email!

On this episode, I discuss the pharmacology of hydrocodone. We also cover adverse effects, clinical use, and important genetic and drug interactions. Enjoy the show and don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and receive a couple of free gifts!

On today’s episode, I breakdown the pharmacology of gabapentin and pregabalin and what you will see in clinical practice. These drugs are most often utilized for pain syndromes. I cover adverse effects, drug interactions, drug/disease interactions, mechanism of action in this episode.

Sulfonylureas are an older, cheaper class of medication that is used to stimulate insulin secretion and lower blood sugar. I discuss the pharmacology and what to look out for in real life practice.