On this episode, we discuss the 2024 acne treatment guidelines that was published by the American Academy of Dermatology. This new set of guidelines was intended as an update to the AAD's 2016 acne guidelines. We review the use of benzoyl peroxide, topical retinoids, topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, isotretinoin, and other common treatment op…

On this episode, we examine the management of dry eye disease and allergic conjunctivitis. It is important that pharmacists and nurses understand the appropriate use of the medications and when to seek a more thorough work-up. This session seeks to explore these topics, focusing on how this information can best be incorporated into daily medical pr…

On this episode, we discuss the treatment options used for the managment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. We review various types of antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors. We also go over the long term risks associated with these meds. Cole and I are happy to share that our listeners can claim ACPE-accredited continuing education for…

On this podcast we discuss the management of both hepatitis A and B. We review some background information as well as the criteria for a diagnosis of either. We also go over vaccinations for both viruses and some of the medications used for hep B specifically. Cole and I are happy to share that our listeners can claim ACPE-accredited continuing edu…

On this episode, we are joined by returning guest Dr. Kaleigh Steeleman. Kaleigh is currently a PGY-1 resident at Chaple Hill. She has spent some of her residency time working with functional medicine professionals. She has been particularly interested with in the area of medical CBD, THC, and other synthetic cannabinoids. She provides a quick over…

On this episode we examine systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Lupus is a relatively uncommon condition, but is debilitating for those who suffer from it. There are newer medications with unique mechanisms used for this disease. It is important that pharmacists and nurses understand the appropriate use of medications and how to counsel patients on …

On this episode, Cole and I review the 2023 updated atrial fibrillation guidelines. We discuss various rate-control and rythmn-control pharmacotherapy options. We also summarized the acute management vs maintenance therarpy. Cole and I are happy to share that our listeners can claim ACPE-accredited continuing education for listening to this podcast…

On this episode, we review the 2023 Hepatitis C Guidance that was recently published by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). We discuss the pre-treatment work-up, various treatment options, and drug-drug interactions/clinical pearls for the most commonly used direct-…

On this episode, Cole and I review some of the medications that gained U.S. FDA approval in 2023. We cover a variety of medications that treat various disease states. We focused more on outpatient medications and did not cover new oncology medication approvals. Cole and I are happy to share that our listeners can claim ACPE-accredited continuing ed…

On this episode, my good friend and colleague Alex Hovey, PA-C is sitting in for Cole this episode. We review the treatment of acute rhinosinusitis and pharyngitis. We mention some treatment options for symptom relief in patients with viral sinusitis and viral pharyngitis. We spend the majority of the episode covering the treatment algorithm for ba…

On this episode we review post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We discuss some background information on the disease. Then, we review the various treatment options used to manage PTSD symptoms. To finish the episode, we go through Dr. David N. Osser, MD's PTSD treatment algorithm. Dr. David N. Osser, MD is associate professor of psychiatry at Har…

On this episode, we discuss the 5-HT1A receptor agonist, Exxua (gepirone). Exxua was recently FDA approved for the treatment of general depression. We review the long road this medication took to get approved. We also summarize the dosing, adverse effects, drug-drug interactions, etc for Exxua. Thanks for listening! We want to give a big thanks to …

On this episode, we review the management of chronic kidney disease. We discuss when to use iron vs erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) for a patient with anemia due to their CKD. We also go over the management of metabolic acidosis, hyperphosphatemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism, etc. Cole and I are happy to share that our listeners can cla…

On this episode we discuss the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) as well as overactive bladder (OAB). We review alpha blockers, 5-alpha-reductase inhihibitors, PDE5-inhibitors, anticholinergics, and beta 3 agonists. We close by discussing the best treatment options for patients with controlled BPH symptoms who are still experiencing …

On this episode, we review the treatment of both uncomplicated and complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). We also use this episode to refresh some clinical pearls for the various antibiotics that are used when treating a UTI. Cole and I are happy to share that our listeners can claim ACPE-accredited continuing education for listening to this …

On this episdoe, we are joined by Dr. Alex Poppen, PharmD, the author of High Powered Medicine. HPM is a book that summarizes over 150 landmark clinical trials. We discuss how Alex came up with the idea for the book as well as how he got it published. We finish the episode with a quick review of the LoDoCo2 trial looking at colchicine for CV risk r…

On this episode, we discuss both treating an acute gout flare and chronic management of gout. We discuss colchicine, NSAIDS, corticosteroids, canakinumab, xanthine oxidase inhibitors, uricosurics, URAT-1 inhibitor, and more. Cole and I are happy to share that our listeners can claim ACPE-accredited continuing education for listening to this podcast…

On this episode, we review pharmacotherapy options for managing osteoarthritis pain. We focus primarily on on hand, knee, and hip OA. We cover NSAIDS, COX2 inhibitors, topical capsaicin, intra-articular corticosteroids, intra-articular hyaluronic acid, duloxetine, and more. Cole and I are happy to share that our listeners can claim ACPE-accredited …

On this episode, we review the medications that are FDA approved for weight loss. We also review recent data on high dose oral semaglutide and injectable tirzepatide. We end by looking at drugs that are currently in the pipeline with unique mechanisms of action. Cole and I are happy to share that our listeners can claim ACPE-accredited continuing e…

On this episode, we are joined by Dr. Brian Gilbert, PharmD, BCCCP, FCCM, FNCS, to compare and contrast alteplase (tPA) versus tenecteplase (TNK-tPA) in the setting ischemic stroke. Brian is an emergency medicine clinical pharmacy specialist at Wesley Medical Center. He also serves as the PGY-2 critical care pharmacy residency program director and …

On this episode, we review the management of hypothyroidism. We focus on levothyroxine as the foundation for a patient treatment. We also discuss the contraversial issue of using synthetic T3 (liothyronine) as an augmentation option for certain patients. The link to the Medscape article, Why the Hesitancy in Recommending Combination T3/T4 Therapy w…

On this episode, we discuss the various treatment options for community acquired pneumonia. We compare and contrast the differences in treating a patient with and without comorbidities in the outpatient setting as well as non-severe and severe CAP in the inpatient setting. We also review some basics for the various antibiotics used in CAP. Cole and…

On this episode, we discuss the management of substance use disorder. We review the pharmacotherapy/psychotherapy options for treating the abuse of alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, cannabis, benzodiazepines, and opioids. Make sure to check out our previous episode that covers opioid use disorder specifically. Cole and I are happy to share that ou…

On this episode, we discuss the pharmacotherapy options available for smoking cessation. We start with some background info including pathophysiology, psychology models applicable to smoking cessation, and nicotine dependence assessments. We review varenicline, nicotine replacement therapy in various forms, bupropion SR, and others. Cole and I are …

On this episode, we go over a pharmacotherapy plan for a patient with sickle cell disease, HFrEF, DM2, dyslipidemia, hypertension, POAG, dry eye disease, constipation, GERD, and OSA. Episode 227 Patient Case Information 57-year-old male with sickle cell disease, HFrEF, DM2, dyslipidemia, hypertension, POAG, dry eye disease, constipation, GERD, and …