In this episode, I’ll discuss whether a pacemaker or implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD) protects from medication-induced torsades. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Shout out to Pharmacy Jeremy and Pharmacy Marci for inspiring this episode! While implantable cardiac devices are given to patients with long QT syndrome and other arrhythmias, there is no data on […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss why you can’t use the Naranjo algorithm in the setting of drug overdose. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Shout out to “Toxicology Dave” on Twitter for highlighting this issue. The Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale (commonly referred to as the Naranjo Scale) attempts to apply objective criteria to answer […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss the pharmacist’s role if malignant hyperthermia is suspected outside of the operating room. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Malignant hyperthermia is a rare event, occurring in about 1 out of 100,000 administrations of anesthesia. While MH is usually thought of as occurring in the operating room, it can occur […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss a new observation study on hydroxychloroquine and Covid-19. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Article Observational Study of Hydroxychloroquine in Hospitalized Patients with Covid-19 Lead author: Joshua Geleris Published in New England Journal of Medicine May 2020 Background Following reports from China and South Korea, and then a small French […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss whether the dose of enoxaparin for VTE prophylaxis can be reduced in low weight patients. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Shout out to “Pharmacy Jeff” for inspiring this episode! When using enoxaparin for VTE prophylaxis in low-weight adults, doses can approach the 1 mg/kg normally associated with VTE treatment. […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss an article about IVP antibiotic safety. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Article Safety of intravenous push administration of beta-lactams within a healthcare system Lead author: Kassandra Marsh, PharmD, BCIDP Published in American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy April 2020 Background In the aftermath of hurricane disruptions to IV solution supply […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss macrolides vs. fluroquinolones for legionella pneumonia. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Traditionally it is thought that a bacteriocidal antibiotic is preferable to a bacteriostatic one, especially in severe infections such as legionella pneumonia. However, the IDSA guidelines recommend that either a fluoroquinolone or a macrolide may be used first-line […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss the remdesivir emergency use prescribing information as it pertains to adult patients. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Remdesivir is a viral RNA inhibitor which just received an emergency use authorization from the FDA for the treatment of COVID-19. For adult patients there are two different suggested dosage regimens: The […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss the recent reports by the NIH and Gilead on the efficacy of remdesivir. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Back in episode 486 when discussing medications with in vitro but otherwise unproven efficacy against COVID-19, I mentioned that efficacy data for remdesivir was expected in April 2020. The NIH met […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss an article about using prothrombin complex concentrates for the treatment of factor Xa inhibitor-related intracranial hemorrhage. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Article Factor Xa Inhibitor-Related Intracranial Hemorrhage (FiX-ICH): Results from a Multicenter, Observational Cohort Receiving Prothrombin Complex Concentrates Lead author: Nicholas G. Panos Published in Circulation April 2020 Background […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss the new NIH guidelines on therapeutic options for COVID-19. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher On April 21, the NIH published expert consensus guidelines on the treatment of COVID-19. As these guidelines are evidence-based, and we have not had enough time for the rigorous testing of therapies against COVID-19, there […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss whether the Tisdale Risk Score can be used to identify ICU patients at risk of QTc prolongation. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher The Tisdale Risk Score (TRS) was first published in 2013 as a way to identify hospitalized patients at risk for QT interval prolongation. The scoring system assigns […]