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| Issue: January 2017 • Archive |
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| Editor's Notebook |
Focusing on Concussion
As one of the most accessible healthcare providers, pharmacists are well positioned to convey information about brain-related injuries to patients. |
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| Counseling Pearls |
 FDA-Approved Nonbenzodiazepine Receptor Agonists for the Management of Insomnia
Recognizing potential nonpharmacologic and pharmacotherapeutic treatment options for insomnia is a vitally important role for pharmacists. Many practitioners and patients are avoiding benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZDRAs) due to their significant adverse-effect profiles, so pharmacists should understand the appropriate utility of the five FDA-approved non-BZDRA options. |
 Exercise-Induced Headaches: Prevention, Management, and Treatment
Patients who experience headaches related to strenuous physical activity may find it difficult to exercise at sufficient durations or intensities. These headaches, which are known as primary exercise headaches or exertional headaches, impact people during or immediately following exercise. |
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| Senior Care |
Late-Onset Myasthenia Gravis: Fatigability and Fluctuating Weakness
In older age groups, men are affected more frequently and the disease is often misdiagnosed. Triggers include medications such as antibiotics, beta-blockers, and statins. |
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| Clinical Corner |
 Neuromuscular Blocking Agents: Use and Controversy in the Hospital Setting
Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) play an important role in the management of a large number of hospital patients. NMBAs are common in surgical situations and rapid sequence intubation, but other indications, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, therapeutic hypothermia, and elevated intracranial pressure, are somewhat divisive. |
 Eslicarbazepine and Other Treatment Advances for Focal Seizures
Epilepsy and the corresponding seizure disorders, such as focal (partial-onset) seizures, provide challenges for both patients and healthcare providers. With convenient dosing and improved tolerability, eslicarbazepine and other new agents are considered suitable alternatives to traditional antiepileptics in selected patients. |
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| TechRx |
Using Advanced Analytics to Develop New Therapeutic Approaches for Complex Neurodegenerative Diseases
Intensive efforts are underway to develop novel and more effective therapies for neurologic disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). |
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| Educational Spotlight |
Pharmacologic Management of HIV-Associated Wasting Syndrome
The key goals are to promote weight gain and prevent further reduction of lean body mass. |
Care and Treatment of Dementia
As the population ages, the human and economic costs of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are significant. |
Expanding Access to Naloxone: Role of the Pharmacist
To ensure safe usage, pharmacists must understand state regulations concerning distribution. |
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| Newswire |
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One-Half of Breast Cancer Patients Report Severe Side Effects
Ann Arbor, MI—
A new study has found that about one-half of breast cancer patients experience severe adverse effects from their treatment. Researchers from the University of Michigan surveyed 1,945 early stage breast cancer patients an average of 7 months after diagnosis, asking them to rate the severity of seven common treatment-related side effects (nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, pain, arm swelling, shortness of breath, and breast skin irritation). The results showed that 93% of the women experienced at least one of these effects, with 45% rated as severe or very severe. Pain, skin irritation, and constipation were most often reported. Unscheduled care for these toxicities can cause an extra burden for patients and the healthcare system. |
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New Guideline Recommends Lower Blood Pressure Targets
Philadelphia, PA—
The American College of Physicians (ACP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) have released a joint clinical practice guideline on systolic blood pressure targets for adults aged ≥60 years who are otherwise healthy. Traditionally, the threshold for hypertension has been set at 140 mmHg for systolic blood pressure, but the new guideline states that physicians should begin treatment when older patients have persistent systolic blood pressure that is ≥150 mmHg. The evidence suggests that tighter control of blood pressure in healthy older adults may produce more harm than good, and any additional benefit from more aggressive treatment is small. |
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Aspirin May Reduce Risk of Preterm Birth
Amsterdam, The Netherlands—
According to a new systematic review and meta-analysis, low-dose aspirin may reduce the risk of spontaneous preterm birth in pregnant women at risk for preeclampsia. Results from more than 27,000 women who had participated in 17 randomized trials were analyzed to compare low-dose aspirin with placebo/no treatment. Women who received low-dose aspirin were at lower risk of having a spontaneous birth before 37 weeks' gestation (relative risk [RR], 0.93) and before 34 weeks (RR, 0.86) than were women on placebo/no treatment. Preterm delivery is a leading cause of adverse maternal and neonatal poor outcomes, and any intervention to reduce its rate is very helpful. |
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U.S. Pharmacist is a monthly journal dedicated to providing the nation's pharmacists with up-to-date, authoritative, peer-reviewed clinical articles relevant to contemporary pharmacy practice in a variety of settings, including community pharmacy, hospitals, managed also useful to pharmacy technicians, students, other health professionals and individuals interested in health management. Pharmacists licensed in the U.S. can earn Continuing Education credits through Postgraduate Healthcare Education, LLC, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. |
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