What's on the horizon for diabetes therapy?

To help patients and clinicians cope with this growing challenge, it’s not surprising that new diabetes therapies are
emerging. » More

Review of metronidazole and ADRs

If metronidazole is given concurrently with mebendazole, the risks of toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome are heightened. Similarly, if it is given with busulphan, there is a 79%–87% elevation of busulphan trough concentrations. Therefore dose adjustments are necessary wherever these drugs are required for treatment of a patient on metronidazole. » More

Study: Greater bleeding risk with dabigatran

A new study has found a greater bleeding risk associated with the use of dabigatran (Pradaxa, Boehringer Ingelheim) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) than that cited on initial FDA approval of the drug. » More

Risks of COPD exacerbations and inhaler discontinuation

The risk of moderate or severe exacerbations in patients with severe but stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who receive tiotropium plus salmeterol has been found to be similar among subjects discontinuing inhaled glucocorticoids and subjects continuing their use. » More

Continuing Education

MTM essentials for weight management

This month's CE activity is part of a year-long CPE series, Medication Therapy Management Considerations for Adult Patients with Cardiovascular Disease. From February 2014 through January 2015, pharmacists can earn up to 24 hours of CPE credit with 12 monthly knowledge-based activities from the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy and Drug Topics.

The goal of this month's activity is to educate pharmacists about the prevalence, health consequences, and nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment options for obesity, with a focus on the recommendations made in the 2013 AHA/ACC/TOS guideline for the management of overweight and obesity in adults.

To read and print the article with TEST QUESTIONS, click here. To proceed to the online exams and earn up to 2 CPE credits, click here to log in with the session code 14DT12-FKX42.

Announcement: Our CE activities have moved to a new learning management system to better serve you. The login to the Online CE Center is https://web2.uconn.edu/pharmacyce/login.php. All current user registration information has been uploaded for your convenience. Current users do not need to register. To review your registration page to ensure the data is up to date or to register, go to https://web2.uconn.edu/pharmacyce/program_register.php. For a full list of courses, go to http://pharmacy.uconn.edu/academics/ce/drug-topics-and-uconn-ce/.

Check these out, too

• New Rx and OTC products

• Pharmacy tech certification changes in 2015

• Pharmacy resource for uninsured patients

• PharmD degree options for RPhs

Voices

Anticoagulation Update