A Biologic for Migraine Prevention
Migraines affect 10% of the population - with women affected 3 times more than men. A first in class biologic, erenumab (Aimovig®), has been approved for migraine prevention. Erenumab is a monoclonal antibiody that binds to and blocks calcitonin...
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What are SGLT2 inhibitors? I have never heard of them before and I have a prescription for one
Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a relatively new class of drugs recommended for people with type 2 diabetes whose blood sugar numbers are too high. The available medications are canagliflozin (Invokana™), dapagliflozin (Farxiga™),...
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Dangerous Combination: Pregabalin Plus an Opioid
Pregabalin, gabapentin and opioids are commonly used for pain management. While the product labeling for gabapentin contains a warning about serious side effects when it is combined with opioids, the labeling for pregabalin does not. As the use of...
read moreParalyzing polio-like illness mainly affecting children confirmed in 22 states, CDC says
CDC reported Tuesday that 127 confirmed or suspected cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a rare condition that primarily affects children and can cause paralysis, have been reported in the United States as of October 16. According to CDC's Nancy Messonnier, 62...
read moreUpdate on Medication Errors and Adverse Drug Events-Florida Board-Approved Edition
Medication errors have been identified as the most common type of medical error. The FDA estimates that medication errors occur in about 1.3 million people annually and result in at least one death every day in the US. In the hospital setting, adverse drug...
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I’ve heard that SGLT2 inhibitors can cause kidney failure; should I be worried?
Q: I’ve heard that SGLT2 inhibitors can cause kidney failure; should I be worried? A: New information suggests that taking SGLT2 inhibitors over a long period of time can actually help prevent kidney disease. However, since this type of medication works in the kidney,...
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EpiPen® Expiration Extended
Many factors, including supply disruptions and manufacturing problems, have contributed to shortages of the EpiPen® (epinephrine) auto-injector. To help mitigate the shortage, the FDA has extended the expiration date (beyond the 20-month shelf life) for...
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New Considerations in Diabetes Management
[raw] This issue highlights the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, sodium glucose transport protein-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, newer insulin formulations, and the expert guideline recommendations focused on individualization of therapy. In 2017, the...
read moreASHP updates policies, procedures for drug shortages
[raw] The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) has released updated guidance on the management of drug shortages, which focuses on policies and procedures that help minimize the effects of drug shortages on the quality of care. “The current situation...
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Who should get the flu shot? When should I get it?
The best way to prevent getting the flu and spreading it is to get a flu vaccine. The vaccine is also the best way to make flu symptoms less severe if you do get the flu. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get the vaccine every year. Certain groups...
read moreAbout The Rx Consultant
The Rx Consultant is a subscription-based service that delivers practical updates, continuing education & reviews covering all the top-selling drugs and common health conditions. All our publications focus on the facts busy front-line pharmacists, nurse practitioners and pharmacy technicians need to stay current.
Each issue contains a drug therapy update with CE, patient Q&A, healthcare news, charts & tables and quick facts cards. The Continuing Education Network is an ACPE approved provider - credit for pharmacists is automatically reported to CPE Monitor. Our CE meets ANCC & AANP criteria, allowing nurse practitioners to fulfill their pharmacology CE needs.
The Rx Consultant has subscribers throughout the United States, Canada & The UK.