Jeannette Y. Wick, RPh, MBA, FASCP

Just 20 or 30 years ago, mention of vitamin supplementation caused many health care professionals to talk about creating "expensive urine." Today, however, vitamin and nutrient supplementation has become an important health care intervention.

If pharmacists practice at the top of their licenses, they will integrate rewarding work conducted in OTC aisles by looking at each patient's total pharmacotherapy regimen-prescription medications, OTC products, and dietary supplements.

Pharmacists who want to know a vitamin's content can use the NIH's Dietary Supplement Label Database, which includes all currently available products, as well as those that have been discontinued.

American adults are eating too little fish to meet current recommendations for fish-derived omega-3 fatty acids.

Moderate intake of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as a lipid-lowering strategy appears to have no effects on glucose regulation or insulin resistance.

While diet and supplementation have not been shown to prevent mental illness, several supplements have been associated with symptom relief.

Recent study on healing rates of reflux esophagitis patients suggests that some refractory patients may heal with extended acid suppression treatment.

Researchers evaluated more than 2 decades of evidence on atrial fibrillation patients taking vitamin K antagonists.

Study finds that black patients who visit the emergency department with ACS have more symptoms and higher symptom severity than white patients.

Patients with anal fissures frequently seek care for pain.

As more insurance plans cover bariatric surgery, pharmacists need to understand its potential complications and some unique concerns about medications after the surgery.

Study finds higher risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease in COPD patients, suggests spread of inflammation may be a factor.

A recent study indicates that eating meals quickly does not increase reflux episodes in gastroesophageal reflux disease patients.

Researchers evaluated the risk of cardiovascular outcomes in atrial fibrillation patients with a history of falls.

A recent study examines the comparative efficacy of prasugrel and clopidogrel in the treatment of patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention.

In many states, pharmacists have the right to exercise conscientious refusal to dispense contraceptives, but they also have a responsibility to meet patients' and employers' needs.

By understanding their unique risks when exercising, women can take measures to avoid injury.

Pharmacists May Encounter Patients with Newly Identified Allergies

Hospitalization rates for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were found to be lower in communities that have smoke-free policies.

A recent investigation found a significant increase in hospitalization rates for patients with atrial fibrillation in the United States.

Researchers examined the effects of proton pump inhibitors on the highly acidic pocket of gastric juice at the esophagogastric junction.

Studies support short-term use of proton pump inhibitors in children, but additional clinical trials are needed to determine their long-term safety.

The use of prediction models can help clinicians identify patients who are unlikely to benefit from invasive investigation for Barrett's esophagus.

Patients who were treated for persistent depression after an acute coronary syndrome experienced improved outcomes during treatment, but worsened outcomes after treatment ended.

A group of German researchers investigated predictors of which patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms were most likely to respond to proton pump inhibitors.

By some estimates, up to 50% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease do not take proton pump inhibitors as prescribed and may benefit from counseling to improve adherence, according to a recent review.

COPD patients who engaged in any amount of moderate to vigorous physical activity after hospitalization had significantly reduced rates of readmission, according to the results of a new study.

Current and recent users of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were significantly more likely to develop atrial fibrillation, according to the results of a new study.

The therapeutic goals for scleroderma can often be met with pharmacologic treatment.