Donepezil (Aricept) is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that is used to help manage symptoms of dementia. I get asked quite a few questions about dementia and, more specifically, dementia-related medications. Here’s a recent question I received; If a patient is...
I recently did a podcast episode on heparin (which you can listen to below) and I did not mention hair loss as a potential adverse effect. In addition to heparin, it turns out there is data on other anticoagulants and this adverse effect as well. That begs the...
Alpha blockers are most frequently used in clinical practice to manage symptoms of BPH and probably less commonly used for hypertension. Here are a few relevant clinical practice pearls that are important to remember. Orthostasis/Syncope Alpha blockers are notorious...
If you have ever had a patient that has had a substantially elevated potassium level, you have likely been very nervous about their medication list. I really start to get concerned when I see levels above 6 mEq/L. There are numerous drugs that affect potassium that...
As a healthcare professional, when I hear the term heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), I get nervous. The classically taught heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (type 2) is very serious. HIT is something that needs to be closely watched for because consequences from...
I was recently reviewing some clinical pearls on clozapine and was really surprised that there were five boxed warnings! After reading them over, I did recall all of the potential negative adverse effects that this drug can cause but did not remember that they were...
