Guidelines for Treatment of COVID-19
Mattie Follen, PharmD; Abbey Krysiak, PharmD, BCPP There are currently no clinically proven treatments for COVID-19; medications used are based on limited observational studies and their in vitro antiviral activity or anti-inflammatory effects.1 It is important for observational studies to occur during the epidemic to investigate treatment options; however, they often do not have concurrent
Potential Medication Options for COVID-19
Christey Wilkinson, PharmD; Abbey Krysiak, PharmD, BCPP; Brandon Sing, PharmD, MS The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in drug trials. Numerous pharmaceutical companies are working hard to find a cure or create a vaccination to prevent this deadly virus. Many potential treatment options have made the headlines including remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, and the combination
A Crash Course on COVID-19: Information for Today’s Practitioners
Miranda Ochs, PharmD; Abbey Krysiak, PharmD, BCPP Nearly 7 months ago, the first cluster of a flu-like illness was reported in Wuhan, China. One week later, the virus was identified as coronavirus 2019-CoV. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. As more cases
Review of Cellulitis Treatment Recommendations
Cellulitis is defined as an infection of the skin and soft tissue beneath the skin. The infection is usually due to bacteria that are commonly present on the skin or inner surface of the nose or mouth of otherwise normal and healthy people, most commonly staphylococci or streptococci. Cellulitis develops when there is a break
New Antibiotics for Severe Soft Tissue Infections
Diviya Patel, PharmD Candidate; Marcus Campbell, PharmD, BC-ADM According to the 2013 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, more than 2 million people each year become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. As a result, about 23,000 people die from these infections.1 Bacterial drug resistance has rapidly spread in hospitals and communities
Two New Topical Antifungals for Onychomycosis
Nga Lam, PharmD Candidate; Marcus Campbell, PharmD, BC-ADM Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the toenails or fingernails. It is characterized by thickening of the nail, discoloring, shaping distortion, and detaching of nail plate from the nail bed. Onychomycosis is relatively common and accounts for approximately 35 million cases inthe United States.1 The major cause of
The Declining Role of Sulfonylureas as Add-on Therapy in Diabetic Patients
Nicholas Ellis, PharmD Candidate; Marcus W. Campbell, PharmD, BC-ADM Sulfonylureas are a class of medications commonly used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus; the second generation sulfonylureas currently used in practice include glimepiride, glyburide, and glipizide. These medications work by stimulating the pancreatic beta cells to secrete insulin, thereby lowering the body’s blood
Effective dosing of gabapentin for diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Rebekah Stoner, Kimberly Clifton, PharmD Candidates; Marcus W. Campbell, PharmD BC-ADM Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common long-term complication of type 2 diabetes and occurs in up to 50% of patients with long-standing disease.1 DPN and its complications cost between $4.6 and $13.7 billion dollars in the United States annually.2Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant first approved in
The Second FDA Approved Inhaled Insulin
Anna Liu, PharmD Candidate; Marcus W. Campbell, PharmD, BC-ADM In the United States, 29.1 million people have diabetes.1 Patients are prescribed insulin due to insulin deficiency (type 1 diabetes) or insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes). Injectable insulin has been available since the 1920s. Insulin is the single most effective agent at controlling blood glucose levels and lowering
Pradaxa® (dabigatran) vs. Warfarin: Reported bleeding and adverse events
Adolfo Suarez, PharmD candidate; Marcus W. Campbell, PharmD, BC-ADM Warfarin is an oral anticoagulation drug which inhibits blood clotting by preventing the production of clotting factors II, VII, IX, X, as well as proteins C and S, all of which are synthesized by the liver. The assembly of these factors is dependent on vitamin K,