Key Areas to Focus On:

  • Contraindications and High-Risk Patients: Understand the conditions or patient populations where certain antibiotics should be avoided.
  • Examples of Major Antibiotic Drug Classes: Know the commonly used antibiotics in each class (e.g., Penicillins, Cephalosporins, Macrolides).
  • Monitoring Needs: Be familiar with what needs to be monitored when using specific antibiotics (e.g., kidney function, liver enzymes).
  • Renal Dosing Adjustments: Identify which antibiotics require dose adjustments in renal impairment and the extent of adjustment (e.g., 25%, 50%).
  • Patient Education: Provide education on proper use, potential side effects, and when to seek medical attention.
  • Lifespan Considerations: Understand the safety of antibiotics during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in pediatric or geriatric populations.
  • Indications for Use: Know which infections or conditions specific antibiotics are used to treat.

Penicillins:

  • Caution: Patients with allergies to penicillins, cephalosporins, or carbapenems.
  • Use: Treats infections caused by sensitive bacteria; confirm with culture and sensitivity tests.
  • Allergy Testing: Skin tests can assess allergy risk; must be done where emergency support is available.
  • Renal Adjustment: Doses need adjustment for impaired renal function.
  • Examples of Penicillins:
    • Narrow Spectrum Penicillins: Penicillin G, Penicillin V.
    • Penicillin-Resistant: Nafcillin, Oxacillin, Dicloxacillin.
    • Broad-Spectrum: Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Piperacillin.
  • Life Span Considerations: Safe for infants, children, and during pregnancy with caution.
  • Side Effects: Allergic reactions, pain at injection sites, neurotoxicity at high levels.

WEEK 2: Antifungals and Antivirals

Key Areas to Focus On:

  • Treatment for Different Types of Infections:
    • Tinea: Topical or systemic antifungals based on severity.
    • Oral Candidiasis: Commonly treated with nystatin or oral fluconazole.
    • Aspergillosis: Typically treated with voriconazole; avoid CYP450 inducers like phenobarbital.
  • Drug Interactions:
    • CYP450 Inducers: Increase metabolism of drugs, reducing effectiveness (e.g., Phenobarbital with voriconazole).
    • CYP450 Inhibitors: Decrease metabolism, increasing risk of toxicity.
  • Adverse Reactions/Patient Teaching:
    • Itraconazole: Monitor for liver toxicity, gastrointestinal side effects.
    • Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs): Know example drugs like Zidovudine and Didanosine.
  • Diagnostics & Monitoring for Anthelmintics: Monitor for liver function, CBC.
  • High-Risk Patients: Identify those at higher risk for adverse effects with specific drugs.
  • Therapeutic Effects of HIV Therapy: Measure viral load and CD4 count to assess effectiveness.

WEEK 3: Treatment of Common Conditions

Key Areas to Focus On:

  • Glaucoma Treatment:
    • Beta Blockers: Know pros and cons, especially in patients with asthma or COPD.
    • Treatment for Patients with Asthma/COPD: Prefer alternatives to beta blockers.
  • Otitis Media & Externa: Understand treatment protocols for bacterial vs. fungal infections.
  • Acne Treatment:
    • Mild: Topical agents like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
    • Moderate: Combination therapy (topicals plus oral antibiotics).
    • Severe: Consider isotretinoin or combination therapy.
  • Eczema Treatment: Recognize complications and appropriate corticosteroid use.
  • Sunscreen Ingredients: Organic sunscreens should include zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
  • Mechanism of Action:
    • Expectorants: Help clear mucus from airways.
  • Adverse Effects & Patient Teaching:
    • Montelukast, Intranasal Glucocorticoids, Sympathomimetics: Understand their uses, side effects, and patient education points.
  • Management of Rebound Congestion: Gradual withdrawal of decongestants.
  • Biologics in Allergy Treatment: Recognize their role and when they are indicated.

WEEK 4: Treatment of Obesity

Key Areas to Focus On:

  • Evaluation of Phentermine/Topiramate: Understand its role in obesity management.
  • Adverse Effects/Patient Teaching:
    • Orlistat: Monitor for gastrointestinal side effects.
    • Lorcaserin: Watch for serotonin syndrome.
    • Naltrexone/Bupropion: Monitor for mood changes, potential for seizures.
  • Drug Interactions:
    • Orlistat: Can affect absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
    • Lorcaserin: Interacts with other serotonergic drugs.
  • Role of Topiramate: Used in combination for weight loss; monitor for cognitive effects.
  • Obesity Stages:
    • BMI: Understand the BMI range for each stage and corresponding treatment recommendations.
  • DEA Schedules: Familiarize with schedules for drugs used to treat obesity (e.g., Phentermine is Schedule IV).

Prescription Writing

  • Medications to Know:
    • Amoxicillin: Antibiotic.
    • Tetracycline: Broad-spectrum antibiotic.
    • Benzoyl Peroxide: Topical acne treatment.
    • Acyclovir: Antiviral for herpes.
    • Timolol and Betaxolol: Beta-blockers for glaucoma.