Many providers will not encounter patients with HIV very often, but it may become more commonplace now as HIV therapy has improved dramatically as well as life expectancy in patients with the disease. It is important for providers to meet these patients’ HIV-related...
Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs; also called NOACs – novel oral anticoagulants) are an increasingly popular alternative to warfarin. Meanwhile, the number of obese patients requiring anticoagulation is also increasing. Because the landmark studies that...
Mirtazapine is commonly used in elderly patients with depression who are also suffering from insomnia. Mirtazapine is often chosen because it is much safer than benzodiazepines, “z-drugs”, and antipsychotics. The mechanisms of mirtazapine (podcast episode on the...
While not incredibly common, medications can cause dysregulation of our body’s thermoregulation process and cause a rise in core temperature in the presence of normal core body temperature which leads to hyperthermia. Before we get to the drugs that cause...
Recurrent urinary tract infections are a common, bothersome problem, particularly in female patients. As a result, providers will often try to stave off future infections by prescribing prophylactic antibiotics. Patients can often end up taking these antibiotics for...
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1s, are a highly appealing, newer class of medications for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Through their activity at the GLP-1 receptor, they slow gastric emptying and decrease glucagon secretion. They also increase...