*Coronavirus Update*: investigational remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19. Here is a quick highlight of two Phase 3 RCTs, evaluating the safety and efficacy of remdesivir. Initiation of these two studies were announced yesterday with the FDA’s rapid review and acceptance of IND (investigational new drug) filing of remdesivir. For more information check out ‪clinicaltrials.gov‬. #Coronavirus #Covid-19 #covid19 #2019-nCov #RespiratoryDisease #Pulmonology #Treatment #NovolCoronavirus #ClinicalTrial #InfectiousDisease #Virology #Outbreak #Remdesivir

Back to the "10 Need to Know" series - Drug Therapeutic Target Levels. For lithium, target levels vary depending on treatment indication. Therapeutic range for digoxin in heart failure is lower (0.5 - 0.8 ng/mL) due to an increased risk of mortality at a higher level. *For Educational Purposes Only* #DrugLevels #Therapeutic #Ranges #Toxicology #Pharmacology #Diagnosis #Table #Monitoring

A1C and eAG ~ *For Educational Purposes Only* #Diabetes #T2D #DM2 #Table #PrimaryCare #Endocrinology #BloodGlucose #A1C

ACEI Antihypertensive Dose Comparison. Consider divided (BID) regimen for better pre-dose (trough) BP control for the following ACEIs: benazepril, enalapril, fosinopril, moexipril, quinapril, and ramipril. Monitor BP, potassium, and renal function. #ACEInhibitor #ACEIs #Dosing #Conversion #Pharmacology #Hypertension #Management #PrimaryCare #Comparison #Table

Smoking Cessation: the 5 A's and 5 R's. Very useful tool for clinicians, including pharmacists to help our patients - smokers establish goals and create an actionable plan for quitting to prevent related health consequences. *For Educational Purposes Only* #SmokingCessation #Prevention #Cardiology #Algorithm

Keeping up with Atypical Antipsychotics (aka second generation antipsychotics - SGA). I'll be posting series of topics focused on this class of drugs, including their receptor activity/pharmcodynamic and safety profiles. So, here's to Part 1 - Types of Atypical Antipsychotics: simplified way of remembering their names by grouping into: "DONEs", "PINEs", "PIPs”and "RIP”. #AntipsychoticDrugs #AtypicalAntipsychotics #SGAs #Antipsychotics #BehavioralHealth #MentalHealth #Psychiatry #Pharmacy #Pharmacology #Medication #PrimaryCare #FamilyMedicine #MedEd #FOAMed #InfoGraphic #Clinical #Pharmacotherapy

With the recent publication of the FDA Guidance on alcohol-based hand sanitizer compounding, I thought to post the 2 formulations that are consistent with both the FDA and WHO recommendations. FDA is also encouraging pharmacists to compound these in light of current COVID-19 pandemic and hand sanitizer shortage. *For Educational Purposes Only* #COVID19 #Coronavirus #Compounding #Pharmacology #HandSanitizer

Anticoagulation Review. There are other bleeding risk assessment tools, but HAS-BLED is more commonly used. HTN defined as having SBP greater than 160 mmHg. Bleeding includes history or predisposition. Examples of drugs that increase bleeding include antiplatelets or NSAIDs and alcohol use of having more than 8 servings/week. *For Educational Purposes Only* #Anticoagulation #Anticoagulant #Bleeding #Risk #Tool #Assessment #Cardiology #SideEffects #Symptoms #Signs

Azithromycin - since there has been a lot of noise around chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine, thought we can take a quick review of azithromycin since it is being used in combination with hydroxychloroquine as one of the investigational treatments for COVID-19… Note azithromycin has a long half-life of about 68 hrs (or more) and is an inhibitor of P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 so watch for potential DIs with colchicine, dabigatran, edoxaban, ranolazine, etc. Also, don't forget about increased QT prolongation risk when used in combo with chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine‼️ #Azithromycin #Zithromax #Macrolides #InfectiousDiseases #COVID19 #Coronavirus #Treatment #Management #Pharmacology #DrugInteraction #Pandemic

Phosphate binders - quick reference chart of maximum daily dose. Most patients with CKD will require phosphate binding agents since they are not able to effectively excrete phosphate. Generally, the initial dose is based on serum phosphate levels and doses should be adjusted to lower phosphate levels toward the normal range (KDIGO). Note not listed are aluminum-based phosphate binder (use has fallen out of favor due to safety reasons) and calcium carbonate form. The use of calcium-based phosphate binders is restricted due to hypercalcemia (KDIGO). *For Educational Purposes Only* #CKD #Nephrology #PhosphateBinders #Hyperphosphatemia #Dose #Dosing #Pharmacology #Maximum