Rheumatology
How long patients should take bisphosphonates
As a clinical pharmacist, you will hear more controversy about how long patients should take bisphosphonates (alendronate, etc) for osteoporosis. Many patients get put on a bisphosphonate to prevent fractures and are left on them indefinitely. But long-term use may be associated with problems, jaw osteonecrosis and atypical femur fractures. …
قراءة المزيد
Vitamin D Supplements
Take MORE vitamin D and LESS calcium!
As a nutrition support pharmacist, people are asking you if they should take MORE vitamin D and LESS calcium. This follows some recommendations by many experts... According to Vitamin D , some experts recommend that adults get 1000 IU/day of vitamin D instead of just 400 IU/day. They say that vitamin D is MORE important than calcium for bone health and has o…
قراءة المزيد
Vitamin D Supplements
What you need to know about VITAMIN D
Now that so many more people are taking vitamin D, some are asking how much vitamin D is too much. Explain that vitamin D doses vary widely and toxicity is rare... TO PREVENT DEFICIENCY, recommend 1000 to 2000 IU/day of vitamin D for adults and 400 IU/day for infants and children. Most people will need supplements. We don't get much vitamin D from the sun th…
قراءة المزيد
Rheumatology
Management of osteoporosis when patients don't get enough benefit from a bisphosphonate
How to manage osteoporosis when patients don't get enough benefit from a bisphosphonate?! ― Reassess your treatment plan for patients who continue to have significant bone loss, or a fracture, despite being on a bisphosphonate. Continue the basics. Recommend weight-bearing exercise, adequate vitamin D and calcium , etc. Check adherence. Ab…
قراءة المزيد
Rheumatology
Using calcium supplements safely
As a pharmacist, you will hear more debate about whether calcium supplements are safe. New evidence suggests these supplements are linked to dementia. But this is mainly in elderly women who've had a stroke and does NOT prove that calcium supplements cause dementia. Plus, previous concerns about calcium supplements and cardiovascular (CV) risk may be waning. A re…
قراءة المزيد
Steroids
Identifying patients at risk for fractures due to chronic steroids
As a clinical pharmacist, it is important to address the therapy gap in preventing osteoporosis and fractures among patients on chronic corticosteroids. More than one in 10 patients using these medications long-term will experience a fracture as a result of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. It is crucial for you as a pharmacist to be vigilant in identifying patien…
قراءة المزيد
Rheumatology
Approach to osteoporosis
E ssential of diagnosis ― Fracture propensity of spine, hip, pelvis, and wrist from depletion of bone matrix with subsequent demineralization. Asymptomatic until a fracture has occurred. Serum PTH, calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase usually normal and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels often low as a comorbid condition. Most common causes of osteoporosis in…
قراءة المزيد
Rheumatology
Screening and management of osteoporosis
Introduction ㅡ Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. Osteoporosis itself is asymptomatic, and often remains undiagnosed until a fragility fracture occurs. An osteoporotic fracture is a fragility fracture occurring as a consequen…
قراءة المزيد
Social Plugin