Conjugated estrogens (Premarin) are most often used in the management of menopausal symptoms. Estrogen therapy can increase the risk for breast cancer and the risk should be assessed before beginning therapy.

Paroxetine (Paxil) is an SSRI that can be used in the management of depression. I discuss more on paroxetine pharmacology in this episode. Because paroxetine has some modest anticholinergic effects, it does show up on the Beers list as a potentially...

Olanzapine is a 2nd generation antipsychotic that blocks dopamine-2 receptors. Olanzapine Relprevv (long acting injectable) needs to be closely monitored after the injection is given due to risks of sedation and delirium.

Tizanidine is primarily broken down by CYP1A2. Ciprofloxacin can inhibit CYP1A2 and cause higher tizanidine concentrations. Tizanidine has a similar classification as clonidine. Pay attention to adverse effects like hypotension and bradycardia. ...

Valacyclovir can be used for various viral infections such as herpes virus and varicella. The primary clinical advantage of valacyclovir compared to acyclovir is that it is dosed less frequently. Valacyclovir may have some mild CYP1A2 inhibitor...

Abacavir is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used in the management of HIV. In patients who have the HLA-B*5701 allele, they are at much greater risk for hypersensitivity reactions. Lactic acidosis and hepatomegaly are potential comp...

Sertraline is an SSRI. It has the highest potential to cause diarrhea of any SSRI. Sertraline is often called "Squirtraline" because of its potential to cause diarrhea. Sertraline has a much shorter half-life than fluoxetine.

Fosfomycin is an antibacterial agents that can be utilized in the management of uncomplicated UTIs. Uniquely, fosfomycin comes as a packet that needs to be mixed with COOL water. I discuss this further on the podcast.

Simvastatin use has declined over time due to more potent statins being available and due to numerous drug interactions. Grapefruit juice can inhibit CYP3A4 which will increase the concentrations of simvastatin.

Citalopram is an SSRI used in the management of depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. How do you manage the risk of citalopram causing QTc prolongation? I discuss it further in the podcast. Omeprazole can inhibit CYP2C19 which affects the metabol...