In this episode, I’ll discuss linezolid-associated serotonin toxicity in patients receiving linezolid and concomitant serotonergic agents. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Concern that linezolid, when combined with serotonergic medications, could increase the chance of serotonin syndrome has been present since linezolid was first developed, since it has nonselective monoamine oxidase (MAO) type A and […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss the association between the number of learners trained per year and burnout rates among inpatient pharmacists. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Burnout is defined as a work-related stress syndrome resulting from chronic exposure to job stress that consists of 3 dimensions: emotional exhaustion, cynicism and depersonalization, and reduced professional […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss the safety of tenecteplase in patients with stroke mimics. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Acute ischemic stroke must be treated promptly when a patient presents within the thrombolytic treatment window, but invariably, some patients who present with stroke-like symptoms will be determined to have had a different condition after […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss why glucocorticoids have no role in reversing the acute symptoms of anaphylaxis. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher In medicine, it seems that old habits die hard. Despite epinephrine clearly being recommended as the first line of treatment for an acute episode of anaphylaxis, glucocorticoids continue to be given by […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss the impact of giving epinephrine before defibrillation to in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) patients with shockable rhythms. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Knowing when a medication is the first-line treatment for a condition should be easy for pharmacists, as this is exactly what we spend our time on during training […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss whether ICU patients benefit from daily QTc interval monitoring during antipsychotic use for delirium. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher QTc prolongation is a known side effect of antipsychotic use. While the QTc itself is only a number on a sheet of paper, a prolonged QTc is often used as […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss why glucagon is not given a strong recommendation in the AHA guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Glucagon is often considered a potential treatment for beta-blocker and calcium-channel-blocker overdose because it can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac contractility, regardless of whether beta receptors or […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss whether routine magnesium supplementation of ICU patients reduces tachyarrhythmia incidence. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher It is routine practice to give ICU patients supplemental IV magnesium if their plasma level is below the normal lab range, and this practice is hoped to reduce the incidence of new onset atrial […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss a case report on the management of intrathecal baclofen withdrawal. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Managing a patient who is experiencing withdrawal from intrathecal baclofen can be incredibly challenging, especially if resuming the intrathecal baclofen is not an immediate option. A group of authors recently published in AJHP a […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss an article comparing half-dose to full-dose alteplase for pulmonary embolism. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher The risk of hemorrhage is the major drawback to therapy with alteplase for any indication. When used for pulmonary embolism, a long-standing research question has been whether 50 mg of alteplase can treat PE […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss when to use a cold or warm compress to treat extravasation. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Extravasation is a complication of IV therapy that refers to the infiltration of tissues with a medication that is an irritant or vesicant. The only difference between infiltration and extravasation is that the […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss iatrogenic hyperchloremia. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Iatrogenic hyperchloremia occurs when excessive chloride levels occur during the treatment of another condition. While loss of hypotonic fluids via excessive carbonic anhydrase inhibitor use is probably the first thing a pharmacist thinks of for iatrogenic causes of hyperchloremia, this is a […]