HelixTalk - Rosalind Franklin University's College of Pharmacy Podcast

In this episode, we debunk four medication myths that have persisted for decades: metronidazole and alcohol; statins and hepatotoxicity; cidal vs. static antibiotics; and "sulfa" allergies.

Key concepts

  1. Metronidazole does not interact with alcohol (ethanol) and does not cause a disulfiram-like reaction.
  2. Statins can cause transient increases in liver function tests; however, these increases are not associated with hepatotoxicity. Routine LFT monitoring is not recommended unless clinically indicated signs or symptoms of liver injury exist.
  3. The distinction of bactericidal versus bacteriostatic antibiotics is irrelevant. No evidence exists showing that having a bactericidal drug has superior efficacy to a bacteriostatic drug.
  4. A “sulfa” allergy nearly always means an allergy to Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim). There are many non-antibiotic sulfonamide-containing medications that do not need to be avoided in patients with a sulfa allergy; however, patients with an allergy to any medication have an increased risk of an allergic reaction to other medication classes.
Direct download: 135_-_mythbusters.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

In this episode, we provide a concise review of the diagnostic criteria and general treatment approach to patients with hypertensive emergencies.

Key Concepts

  1. Hypertensive “urgency” is a misnomer - patients do not require immediate therapy and definitely should not receive IV therapy.
  2. In most cases, the goal blood pressure in hypertensive emergencies is to decrease by no more than 25% in the first hour, achieve a BP of 160/100 in hours 2-6, then over the next 24-48 hours lower to a more normal blood pressure goal.
  3. Labetalol is the preferred IV push antihypertensive UNLESS patients have acute heart failure, bradycardia, or possibly in patients with asthma/COPD.
  4. Nicardipine is one of the most commonly used IV infusions for hypertensive emergencies. Most other continuous infusions are reserved for special types of hypertensive emergencies (e.g. nitroglycerin for pulmonary edema or acute MI, esmolol for aortic dissection).
Direct download: 134_-_hypertensive_emergency.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

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