E197 - Potentially inappropriate medicines for older people

Dhineli Perera talks to infectious diseases physician and clinical microbiologist Carly Hughes about the latest recommendations for aminoglycoside use in Australia. They discuss indications for parenteral aminoglycosides, drug selection, dosing and therapeutic drug monitoring. Read the full article by Carly and her co-authors in Australian Prescriber.

Laura Beaton speaks with Steph Hopkins (rheumatology registrar) and David Liew (rheumatologist and clinical pharmacologist) about choosing a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for pain. Steph and David discuss the importance of considering the adverse effect profile and selectivity of NSAIDs, and balancing the benefits and risks when selecting the ideal drug for a patient. Read the full article in Australian Prescriber.

Justin Coleman chats with geriatrician and clinical pharmacologist Alex Choo about potentially inappropriate medicines [PIMs] for older people. They discuss the challenges of prescribing for older people and how to use the new Australian PIMs list. The discussion covers some of the 15 drug classes on the list, including antidepressants, benzodiazepines, opioids and NSAIDs. Read the full article by Alex in Australian Prescriber.

Dhineli Perera talks to Laxmi Iyengar, dermatology research fellow and GP, and Jane Li, consultant dermatologist, about male and female pattern hair loss. Laxmi and Jane discuss presentations and available treatments, as well as important considerations for prescribing. Read the full article in Australian Prescriber.

Justin Coleman speaks with Hester Wilson, Chief Addiction Medicine Specialist for NSW, and pharmacist Jillian Kanck about the medicines used in the treatment of opioid dependence. They explain how opioid dependence is diagnosed and discuss the advantages of long-acting buprenorphine, as well as the place of sublingual buprenorphine and methadone in treatment. Read the full article by Hester and Jillian in Australian Prescriber.

David Liew chats with Sophie Stocker, co-chair of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Pharmacogenomics Working Group, about using pharmacogenomics to personalise drug therapy. They discuss pre-emptive, concurrent and reactive testing, and the current landscape of pharmacogenomics in Australia. Read the full article by Sophie and her co-author, Thomas Polasek, in Australian Prescriber.

Justin Coleman talks to Kate McKenzie, General Practitioner and member of one of the Antibiotic Expert Groups, in part 2 of our series on the latest updates to Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic. This episode focuses on changes to guidance for primary care, including new recommendations for UTIs, infectious diarrhoea, bronchiectasis, infections of diabetes-related foot ulcers and much more.

Laura Beaton speaks with Emma Mason, lecturer in sexual and reproductive health, about the latest changes in contraceptive products in Australia. They outline key practice points for selecting appropriate contraception and managing adverse effects, as well as some useful resources to support the prescribing of contraceptives. Read the full paper by Emma and her co-author, Kirsten Black, in Australian Prescriber.

Jo Cheah chats to dermatologist Jonathan Chan about the latest therapies for psoriasis. Jonathan outlines the different treatments for mild to moderate and moderate to severe psoriasis, and when to refer patients to a non-GP specialist. They discuss the benefits and risks associated with biologic medicines for psoriasis, and considerations for patients with comorbidities. Read the full article by Jonathan in Australian Prescriber.

Dhineli Perera talks to pharmacists Amy Legg and Tony Lai about their paper on the safe and effective use of vancomycin. They discuss the evolution of vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring, including trough concentrations, and demystify AUC monitoring. They cover current recommendations, including targets for drug efficacy and safety, and priority patient groups. Read the full article by Amy, Tony, and their co-authors, in Australian Prescriber.