Respiratory and Allergy
Simplify Recommendations for Managing COPD
As a clinical pharmacist, implementing updated guidance will prompt inquiries into the optimal treatment approaches for COPD. There aren’t big changes, but it can be tough to assess if patients are on optimized therapy. Consider these rules of thumb... ✅ Ensure that all patients with COPD have a short-acting bronchodilator (alb…
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Respiratory and Allergy
Chronic azithromycin to PREVENT COPD exacerbations
As a hospital pharmacist, you will see some patients taking chronic azithromycin to PREVENT recurrent COPD exacerbations. Preventing acute COPD exacerbations is a BIG deal. Each exacerbation worsens lung function and quality of life, plus the 30-day mortality rate is higher after a severe COPD exacerbation than a heart attack. …
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Smoking Cessation
Chantix (CHAMPIX) for smoking cessation
CHANTIX also known as CHAMPIX in the EU and other countries (varenicline) is the latest option for smoking cessation. It's the first PARTIAL nicotine agonist. It binds to nicotine receptors, but stimulates them less than nicotine. This partial nicotine effect helps ease withdrawal symptoms. But having the drug on board also BLOCKS some of the pleasurable effects…
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Respiratory and Allergy
Antibiotic prescribing for COPD acute exacerbation
S ending sputum samples for culture is not recommended in routine practice. Pulse oximetry is of value if there are clinical features of a severe exacerbation. Consider prescribing antibiotics to patients with exacerbations who have all 3 cardinal symptoms (increased dyspnea, increased sputum volume, and increased sputum purulence). Or have 2 cardinal symptoms if i…
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