December 2015 Heart Health

Although smoking is a well-known risk factor for lung cancer, the results of a recent study indicate that smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) face a significantly higher risk of developing lung cancer than smokers without the respiratory condition.

A guideline recently released by the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society has clarified that antiepileptic medication should be administered immediately after a patient's first seizure in order to reduce the risk of having another seizure within 2 years.

Patients who live in low-income of rural areas of the United States may face a greater risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to recent study results presented at the 2015 American Thoracic Society International Conference.

Although brain surgery is a common option for patients with epilepsy who do not respond to medication, a recent study has found that children who undergo this procedure may experience difficulties in school afterward.

Patients who develop a psychological conditions suck as depression anxiety, psychosis, or alcohol/drug abuse are more likely to be readmitted early to a hospital for complications related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, recent study results suggest.

Within the past decade, technological growth in the mobile sphere has been explosive, especially with respect to health and wellness apps and trackers.

This Continuing Education activity is supported by an educational grant from Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

This Continuing Education activity has been supported by an educational grant from Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.

What should these pharmacists do?

Can you you figure out what these prescriptions say?

Read about rude patients, absurd refill requests, and other pet peeves.

Read about the new generic products featured in December.

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 includes a provision that will require generic drug makers to pay a rebate to Medicaid if the prices of their generic drugs rise at a rate faster than inflation.

The unusual behavior of a pharmacist attracted the attention of the state board of pharmacy, leading it to issue a confidential order that he undergo a comprehensive physical and medical examination.

These days, pharmacists tend to be general practitioners, handling most problems in community and hospital settings and referring problems beyond their abilities to specialists.

I have been in law enforcement for almost 48 years, a portion of which especially the past 25 years has been primarily devoted to fighting illegal drug trafficking.

For Rebecca Mousseau, a pharmacy student at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy, pharmacists are not only health care providers; they are also educators and leaders.

As pharmacists, we have additional responsibilities to ensure that all patients, regardless of age, receive safe and effective therapy.

The American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and the American Society of Hypertension recently issued new recommendations for treating hypertension in patients who have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease, stroke, or other forms of heart disease.

Patients who suffer from chronic conditions may be at a higher risk for medical-related episodes and errors.

Recently, a pharmacy filled a prescription for guaifenesin with codeine cough syrup with an error in the patient instructions.

Patients with a new diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome often do not know a great deal about their disease, its treatment, or the lifestyle changes needed to prevent recurrence.

Read about the new Rx Products featured in December.

Environments that promote sedentary behavior have traditionally been seen as a sign of progress and economic power.

The FDA has approved Symplmed's Prestalia (perindopril arginine and amlodipine besylate) tablets for the treatment of hypertension to lower blood pressure in patients who are not adequately controlled with monotherapy or as initial therapy in patients likely to need multiple medications to achieve their blood pressure (BP) goals.1 An estimated 1 in 3 Americans have hypertension, about half of whom have it controlled.

Read about the new OTC Products featured in December.

As 2015 comes to an end, several medications have made the switch from prescription to over the counter.

Which OTC products should these pharmacists recommend?