E211 - Preventing infections in immunosuppressed patients

Dhineli Perera speaks to infectious diseases physicians Aadith Ashok and Bradley Gardiner about their paper on preventing infections in immunosuppressed patients. They explain how to individualise risk assessments and screening investigations, and discuss antimicrobial prophylaxis and helpful safe living advice for patients. Read the full article in Australian Prescriber.

David Liew talks to rheumatologist Jessica Pisaniello about her paper on Intra-articular hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation) for osteoarthritis. They discuss the limited benefits and the risks of using of hyaluronic acid in joints, what current guidelines recommend, and what the evidence says. Jessica also advises on how to approach conversations with patients who ask prescribers about using hyaluronic acid. Read the full article in Australian Prescriber.

Laura Beaton chats with David Brieger, head of cardiology at Concord Hospital, Sydney, about the 2025 Australian acute coronary syndromes [ACS] clinical guideline. David explains the importance of secondary prevention for ACS, including new approaches to tailoring the duration of dual antiplatelet therapies, new lipid targets, and the limited role of beta blockers and colchicine. Read the full article in Australian Prescriber.

In a follow-up to our episode on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents, Justin Coleman talks to psychiatrist Shuichi Suetani about the pharmacological management of ADHD in adults. They discuss the different considerations for managing adults compared with children, as well as important adverse effects and monitoring of ADHD medications. Shuichi also outlines other factors to consider when assessing treatment response. Read the full article in Australian Prescriber.

Jo Cheah talks to Terri-Lynne South, Medical Director at Lifestyle Metabolic in Brisbane, about her paper on injectable drugs for weight management. Terri-Lynne outlines the available GLP-1 drugs and how they work in managing weight. The conversation also covers important considerations for prescribers, including off-label use, potential adverse effects and the need for behavioural and lifestyle modifications. Read the full article by Terri-Lynne and her co-author Natasha Yates in Australian Prescriber.

Justin Coleman chats with sexual health physician Louise Owen about her paper on HIV testing. The conversation covers who and when to test, including higher risk populations and indicator conditions, and the types of HIV tests available, such as rapid point-of-care testing. Read the full article in Australian Prescriber.

AP Podcast hosts David Liew and Dhineli Perera talk about Australia's top 10 drugs over the last year. They discuss the top drugs dispensed under the PBS, based on prescription count and cost to the government. They touch on changes to the use of certain drug classes such as oral anticoagulation, and the impact of the COVID pandemic on antiviral drug use. Read the full article for 2024-25 in Australian Prescriber.

Jo Cheah speaks to clinical pharmacologist Paul Chin about safe use of direct oral anticoagulants and warfarin for adults with atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism. They talk about dosing in renal impairment and extremes of body weight, drug interactions, anticoagulant assays, when to use anticoagulant antidotes and when to consult an anticoagulant service. Read the full article in Australian Prescriber.

Justin Coleman chats with paediatrician Daryl Efron about his paper on the pharmacological management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. They discuss the role of stimulants and non-stimulants, starting and stopping treatment, and monitoring for adverse effects. Read the full paper in Australian Prescriber.

Laura Beaton talks to endocrinologist Chris Nolan about the new Australasian consensus recommendations on the screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes. The conversation covers changes to diagnostic thresholds, indications for early testing, and pharmacological therapies. Read the full article in Australian Prescriber.