In this episode, I’ll discuss the recognition and treatment of serotonin syndrome (SS), malignant hyperthermia (MH), and neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Muscular rigidity, significant hyperthermia, and autonomic instability are all common features of serotonin syndrome, malignant hyperthermia, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. A thorough review of the patient’s current and […]

Today’s episode topic is being presented at the request of another “Pharmacy Joe” who left a voice message on pharmacyjoe.com about using clonidine for hypertensive emergencies.  If you’d like to call in a topic request use the Speakpipe widget at the end of the show notes or at pharmacyjoe.com/contact. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher This may be […]

In this episode I’ll: 1. Review how to recognize severe hyperkalemia 2. Review the 3 categories of hyperkalemia treatments and the order which they should be used 3. Discuss the nuances of each treatment Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Recognizing hyperkalemia Severe hyperkalemia can be recognized by cardiac conduction abnormalities on ECG, muscle weakness […]

In this episode I’ll: 1. Review the FDA briefing documents for sugammadex 2. Answer a drug information question about dabigatran 3. Share a great resource I use for evaluating drug interactions Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Before we get to the topic for today’s show I want to invite you to join the Pharmacy Nation […]

In this episode I’ll share with you what he taught me and I’ll: 1. Review the pathophysiology of hyponatremia from SIADH 2. Explain how normal saline makes it worse 3. Discuss basic treatment of severe, symptomatic hyponatremia from SIADH and what to do if you correct the sodium too fast Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or […]

In this episode I’ll 1. Discuss some cases of using IV lipid emulsion for drug toxicity 2. List which patient care areas in my institution are stocked with IV lipid emulsion 3. Review the dosing of IV lipid emulsion Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher I first heard of the idea of using IV lipid […]

In this episode I will: 1. Review an article about idarucizumab for dabigatran reversal 2. Answer a drug information question: “Can I use rivaroxaban to treat a pulmonary embolism (PE) in a patient with active cancer?” 3. Share a resource I use that is a collection of evidence based critical care guidelines Subscribe on iTunes, Android, […]

In this episode I’ll share how I approach a “Pharmacy Pain Consult” at my hospital. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher  I’ll discuss how I titrate opioid doses when the patient has risk factors for respiratory depression. I’ll also share the 4 most common fixes to inadequate pain management. I was talking with Andrew, one of our […]

The American Heart Association cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines have been updated for 2015!  There are some interesting changes to the guidelines that pharmacists should know about and I’ll summarize them for you in this episode. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher I strongly recommend that any pharmacist who is involved in responding to medical emergencies read […]

When it comes to direct antidotes for drug toxicity, there are only a handful. In this episode, I’ll talk about how to dose naloxone (Narcan) including when to give a lot and when to give just a little bit. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Naloxone is a pure opioid antagonist that competes with and displaces […]

Methemoglobinemia is a potentially life-threatening form of functional anemia. There are two types of methemoglobinemia – congenital and acquired. In this episode I’ll discuss the recognition and treatment of acquired methemoglobinemia. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Background Methemoglobin is formed when the ferrous irons of heme are oxidized to the ferric state. The ferric […]

In this episode the methods I am going to discuss in this episode are not first line or even second line therapies for controlling acute agitation.  I use them rarely – as in a few times per year or less.  But in some difficult situations they are like having an Ace up your sleeve!   Subscribe on […]