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FDA-approved biosimilars have been compared to a biologic and shown to be highly similar in structure and function. They are determined to have no clinically meaningful differences in safety, purity, or potency. At the time this article was written, there are currently 31 FDA-approved biosimilars. The “Purple Book” can be found on the FDA website […]
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CA is a 58-year-old female with CKD. Her CrCL today is 45 mL/min and stable sCr of 1.3 mg/dL. She complains of muscle aches that started a couple of weeks ago and that her doctor said she can’t use NSAIDs, even though the Tylenol doesn’t completely help the pain. She also reports new mild diarrhea […]
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Statin myopathy is a primary reason why patients stop taking these cholesterol-lowering medications. Here’s a case scenario where I discuss considerations and options to addressing statin myopathy and adverse effect concerns from a patient. SE is a 58-year-old obese male with diabetes and an LDL of 186. The primary provider elected to start atorvastatin 20 […]
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Fibrates are a type of amphipathic carboxylic acid that treat hypertriglyceridemia. They work by reducing the liver’s production of VLDL particles that carry triglycerides to tissues and accelerating the body’s removal of triglycerides. Due to this mechanism of action, they significantly lower triglyceride levels (50-70%), are moderately effective in increasing HDL (5-20%), and do not […]
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One of the symptoms reported by patients that will catch my attention is diarrhea. This can often be an adverse effect of medication. When I see orders for medications that manage diarrhea, I really start to pay attention. Usually, this is indicative of a chronic (non-infectious) process. Cholestyramine is one of those medications that I […]
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