Pharmacist’s Letter: November 2016; Vol: 32, No. 11
Hello there! The Pharmacist’s Letter is a nifty resource for succinct and informative updates on new drugs, disease states management, complementary medications etc. It is also recognized by Singapore Pharmacy Council as an online CPE point provider. Wait no further, use it as a resource to refresh your pharmacy knowledge regularly.
Pharmacist’s Letter: November 2016; Vol: 32, No. 11
Topic of the month: Antibiotic therapy – When are shorter courses better?
For years, the mantra has been to “finish the antibiotic, even if you feel better” and many of us were taught that this is necessary to prevent relapse and reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance. Now, more experts say shorter antibiotic courses work just as well and may be preferred over longer courses. However, one needs to take into consideration the type and severity of infection, antibiotic choice, symptom resolution and comorbidities when determining the appropriate duration of therapy. Have a look at the CHART: Antibiotic Therapy - When Are Shorter Courses Better for guidance on appropriate durations for specific infections!
Clinical updates:
- Aspirin to reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with a prior gastrointestinal (GI) bleed
Low dose aspirin is linked to about 2 GI bleeds per 1,000 patients each year and the risk is up to 10 times higher after a GI bleed.So, is aspirin still recommended after a GI bleed? The answer is yes for patients with prior cardiovascular event since benefits usually outweigh the bleeding risks. As for patients with no prior cardiovascular event, consider the use of the new Aspirin-Guide app to determine whether use of aspirin is recommended. Listen to the PL voices to find out when to use aspirin after a GI bleed.
- Emergency contraceptive
What’s the difference between the various types of emergency contraceptives? Will a patient’s weight and/or concurrent medications affect its effectiveness? How should ongoing contraception be addressed after the use of the emergency contraceptive? Get these questions answered in CHART: Emergency Contraception FAQs.
Frequently asked questions at the community pharmacy:
- Teething pain
Are teething necklaces recommended?What can parents do to ease teething pain? What are the potential painkillers available for children? Read this PL article to find out more.
- Which type of thermometer is the best?
Flu season is around the corner. Which is the best among the various types of thermometers (e.g. digital, tympanic, temporal, pacifier) in the market? Check out the Thermometer Comparison Table for general information and the instructions of use for each type of thermometer.
