Episodes

Welcome back to the Real Life Pharmacology podcast! We are on the home stretch of the top 200 medications. This is meant to be a quicker refresher of some of the most important drugs you’ll come across in practice. Please be sure to go search the archives at RealLifePharmacology.com if you are looking for more information on one specific medication. We have over 300 individual episodes on specific drugs! On this episode of the Top 200 medications, we’ve covered the medications below. Niaspan (...

Today’s sponsor is Freed AI! Freed’s AI medical scribe listens, transcribes, and writes notes for you. Over 15,000 healthcare professionals use Freed and you should too! Learn more here! On this episode of the Top 200 Drugs Podcast, I cover medications 151-155. This podcast includes; cefuroxime, ketoconazole, pregabalin, esomeprazole, and ipratropium/albuterol. Cefuroxime is a 2nd generation cephalosporin that has a very similar bacterial coverage profile to amoxicillin. It has significant gram...

Today’s sponsor is Freed AI! Freed’s AI medical scribe listens, transcribes, and writes notes for you. Over 15,000 healthcare professionals use Freed and you should too! Learn more here! On this episode of the Top 200 Drugs Podcast, I cover medications 146-150. This podcast includes; sevelamer, dalteparin, sertraline, clonazepam, and irbesartan. Sevelamer is a phosphate binder that is used to treat hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. Dalteparin is a low molecular weight ...

On this top 200 drugs podcast, we are covering medications 141-145. Raltegravir, ustekinumab, meloxicam, infliximab, and Nighttime Cold and Flu are the medications that are covered on this episode. Raltegravir is an integrase inhibitor that is used to manage HIV infection and may also be used for post-exposure prophylaxis. Ustekinumab is a monoclonal antibody that can help reduce inflammation by binding interleukins. Meloxicam is an NSAID used for pain and anti-inflammatory purposes. GI bleed...

On this episode, I cover cinacalcet, solifenacin, haloperidol, hydrocortisone (focused on topical), and insulin NPH. Cinacalcet is a calcimimetic medication that can be helpful in hyperparathyroidism and useful for managing hypercalcemia. Solifenacin is a urinary antimuscarinic used primarily for overactive bladder. It is an anticholinergic medication that can be problematic in our geriatric patients. Haloperidol is a first generation antipsychotic that has a high incidence of EPS relative to...

On this episode of the Top 200 drugs podcast from Real Life Pharmacology, I cover medications 131-135 which include enoxaparin, methylphenidate, rosuvastatin, denosumab, and dabigatran. Enoxaparin is an injectable anticoagulant that can cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Methylphenidate is a stimulant medication that can be used to treat ADHD. Cardiovascular adverse effects are possible. Rosuvastatin inhibits HMG-CoA Reductase which helps lower LDL in the management of hypercholesterolem...

In this episode of the Top 200 Drugs Podcast, we cover medications 126-130. Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that can be used for breast cancer that expresses the HER2 protein. Atripla is an HIV medication that contains three separate medications that are beneficial in reducing viral load. Rivaroxaban is an anticoagulant that may be commonly used in the management of stroke and deep vein thrombosis. Fioricet is a combination of three medications. Butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine a...

On the top 200 drugs podcast, we cover 5 more medications. The medications covered on today’s episode include; omalizumab, nitroglycerin, apixaban, gabapentin, and etanercept. Omalizumab is a monoclonal antibody used in moderate to severe asthma. It targets IgE-mediated asthma attacks and reactions. Anaphylaxis is a significant concern with the use of this medication. Sublingual nitroglycerin is frequently used on an as needed basis for angina symptoms. I discuss major drug interactions and mu...

In this episode of the Top 200 Drugs Podcast, I cover glyburide, citalopram, olmesratan, carvedilol, and tiotropium. Glyburide is a sulfonylurea that is well known to cause hypoglycemia and weight gain because it stimulates the pancreas to increase insulin release. Citalopram is an SSRI most well known for its potential to increase the risk for QTc prolongation. It has a notorious drug interaction with omeprazole Olmesartan is an ARB that can be used for hypertension. Hyperkalemia is an elect...

Clindamycin is an antibiotic for infection. It inhibits protein synthesis by binding to the 50s ribosomal subunit and is well known to contribute to C. Diff. risk. Acetaminophen is a common over-the-counter medication that relieves pain and fever. It does not have much benefit in reducing inflammation, however. Ferrous sulfate is a supplement that can be useful in treating anemia. Dark stools and constipation are two common adverse effects. Eletriptan is a medication used to abort migraine he...

Zoledronic acid is a bisphosphonate that can be used to manage hypercalcemia of malignancy and osteoporosis. Glipizide is an anti-diabetes agent that is classified as a sulfonylurea. Weight gain and hypoglycemia and two big concerns with this agent. Lactulose is classified as a laxative but is more commonly used to reduce ammonia levels in hepatic encephalopathy. Rabeprazole is a PPI used to reduce gastric acid secretions and improve conditions such as GERD, peptic ulcer disease, and Barrett’...

On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, we cover medications 101-105 of the top 200 drugs Atomoxetine is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that is used in the management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Zolpidem is a medication that is used for insomnia. It has a very similar adverse effect profile to benzodiazepines. Advair is a commonly used respiratory medication for asthma. It is a combination of a long-acting beta agonist and inhaled corticosteroid. Levoflox...

We have finally reached 100 of the top 200 drugs podcasts! On this episode, we tackle methadone. This is a complex opioid used for opioid use disorder and may also be used for pain. Enalapril is an ACE inhibitor that is used for hypertension. Cough and hyperkalemia are two major adverse effects to remember. Oseltamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor. In patients with poor renal function, we need to make sure to adjust the dose accordingly. Ropinirole is a dopamine agonist. This medication is p...

On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology Podcast, I cover 5 more medications of the top 200. Fenofibrate is a medication used primarily to reduce triglycerides. This medication differs from statins which tend to focus on LDL management. Doxazosin is an alpha-blocker. The primary indications of doxazosin are hypertension and BPH. Naproxen is an NSAID. Of all the NSAIDs, naproxen is one of the lower-risk agents with regard to cardiovascular risk. Spironolactone is an aldosterone antagonis...

On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, we cover 5 more medications in the top 200. Metronidazole is an antibiotic for infection. One of the most common complaints from patients involves reporting of a metallic taste in the mouth. Levetiracetam is an anti-seizure medication. Sedation, dizziness, and other adverse effects of the central nervous system are the most common complications. Colchicine is a gout medication. The most memorable side effect associated with this medicatio...

On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, I cover medications 81 through 85 on the top 200 drug list. Famotidine is an H2 blocker. H2 blockers are less potent than PPIs but can be used to manage heartburn symptoms. Aspirin is technically an NSAID but is primarily used for cardioprophylaxis purposes. Senna is a stimulant laxative. I often see this medication used with opioids to help manage opioid-induced constipation. Novolog is a rapid acting insulin used to bring down post pra...

Reglan (metoclopramide) is used for gastroparesis and inhibits gastric smooth muscle by blocking dopamine receptors. Relafen (nabumetone) is a non-selective inhibition of COX-1/COX-2 which leads to a reduction of inflammation via reduced prostaglandins. Keflex (cephalexin) is a 1st generation oral cephalosporin that covers common gram positive organisms like Staph and Strep species. Effexor (Venlafaxine) is an SNRI and inhibits both serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. Primary uses include ...

This episode is sponsored by Freed – Freed is an amazing time saver for busy healthcare professionals! It listens, transcribes, and writes medical notes for you! Go check them out and support our sponsor! Robitussin (Guaifenesin) is a medication that is used as a cough suppressant. It is often combined with numerous other medications so patients need to pay attention Valium (diazepam) is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety or seizures. Falls, dizziness, confusion, and sedation are common ad...

This episode is sponsored by Freed – Freed is an amazing time saver for busy healthcare professionals! It listens, transcribes, and writes medical notes for you! Go check them out and support our sponsor! Pantoprazole (Protonix) is a PPI that can be used for GERD and peptic ulcer disease. I differentiate why this medication is different from the commonly used omeprazole. Dicyclomine (Bentyl) is an anticholinergic medication that may be used to help reduce pain and spasms associated with irrita...

This episode is sponsored by Freed – Freed is an amazing time saver for busy healthcare professionals! It listens, transcribes, and writes medical notes for you! Go check them out and support our sponsor! In this episode, we highlight some of the most important clinical pearls (and highly testable pearls) on the following medications; Suboxone, lisdexamfetamine, nortriptyline, insulin lispro, and valproic acid. Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone used for opioid use disorde...

This episode is sponsored by Freed – Freed is an amazing time saver for busy healthcare professionals! It listens, transcribes, and writes medical notes for you! Go check them out and support our sponsor! In this episode, we highlight some of the most important clinical pearls on the following medications; nitrofurantoin, fentanyl patches, isosorbide mononitrate, fluoxetine, and triamcinolone. Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic used for UTIs. We need to be careful with this medication in patients...

On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, I cover medications 51-55. They are eszopiclone, celecoxib, estrogen, moxifloxacin, and donepezil. Eszopiclone is a “Z” drug used for insomnia. Its adverse effect profile is very similar to benzodiazepines. Celecoxib is a COX-2 Inhibitor used for pain and inflammation. I discuss how this medication differs from traditional NSAIDs. Estrogen therapy is used for menopausal symptoms but carries a risk of cancer and blood clots. Moxifloxacin ...

On this episode, we continue with the Top 200 Drugs podcast. We cover the basics of the following drugs: tizanidine, risperidone, ramipril, pravastatin, and terazosin. Tizanidine is a skeletal muscle relaxant that has drug interactions via CYP2D6 Risperidone is a 2nd generation antipsychotic. Be on the lookout for EPS, hyperprolactinemia, sedation, and metabolic syndrome. Ramipril is an antihypertensive agent that is an ACE Inhibitor. Cough and hyperkalemia are two important adverse effects. ...

On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, I continue my education on the top 200 drugs. Raloxifene, prednisone, phenytoin, fish oil, and ezetimibe are covered in this podcast episode. Prednisone is a corticosteroid that may cause hyperglycemia, insomnia, GI upset, osteoporosis, HPA suppression, and hypertension as primary adverse effects. Raloxifene is classified as a SERM and can be used for osteoporosis and breast cancer. DVT and hot flashes are significant adverse effect concer...