Migraine drug contraindicated during pregnancy

Migraine prevention drugs used during pregnancy can cause decreased IQ scores in children born to mothers who take these medications, according to an FDA alert. » More

FDA warns of liver damage with tolvaptan

FDA has issued a Drug Safety Communication indicating that the drug tolvaptan (Samsca, Otsuka American Pharmaceuticals), used in the treatment of electrolyte disturbances, can cause irreversible liver injury with the potential to result in liver transplant or death.
» More

Clostridium difficile screening at hospital admission

Screening patients for risk factors upon hospital admission has potential to identify nearly three out of four asymptomatic carriers of Clostridium difficile, according to a new study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Infection Control. » More

Spinal anesthesia improves hip replacement outcomes

The use of neuraxial, or epidural, anesthesia improved outcomes – including mortality – in patients undergoing hip and knee replacement surgery, according to a new study. » More

Continuing Education

LIVE EVENT!

Medication Therapy Management for Patients with Diabetes CPE Series

Reserve the dates—May 22 or May 23—to attend an innovative 6-hour live program at the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy campus. Learn motivational interviewing skills, apply medication therapy management concepts to patients with diabetes, and practice your new skills to earn 6 CPE credits and a certificate of achievement (additional 6 CPE credits are awarded for post-activity requirements) – for a total of 12 CPE credits.

Prerequisite: Completion prior to the event of the 7 knowledge-based and 3 application-based activities in this CPE series by University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy and Drug Topics.

Click here for more information and to register.

New CPE Series: Pain Management Considerations

Welcome to our new CPE series: Pain Management Considerations for Medication Therapy Management, which has been designed for pharmacists who take care of patients who need pain relief. You can earn up to 10 credits from April 2013 to August 2013 with 5 monthly knowledge-based activities and 2 credits from September 2013 to October 2013 with 2 monthly interactive online case studies. The April activity covers concepts and definitions of pain management.

To read and print the article with TEST QUESTIONS, click here. To proceed to the online exams and earn up to 2 CPE credits, click here to login.

New online interactive case studies available now

The second case study, Case Studies in Diabetes Care-Part 2, is now available, offering you an opportunity to apply diabetes management concepts from the knowledge-based diabetes series. Earn 1 hour of CPE credit for completing each individual application-based activity.

Log in: www.drugtopics.com/casestudies

To begin Part 1, click on Course Catalog ID: 2013-02-2.
To begin Part 2, click on Course Catalog ID: 2013-03-2.

Announcement: Welcome to the new user registration process. This new process requires all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to provide or update their NABP e-Profile ID in order to electronically keep track of CPE credits from ACPE-accredited providers. If you have not done so, you can obtain your NABP e-Profile ID now at www.MyCPEmonitor.net. This profile will enable you to have one login for all the NABP programs and services you will need throughout your career.

Check these out too

• Mental health and Medicaid coverage

• FDA approves cholesterol combination agent

• Drug take-back day successful

• FDA approves warfarin reversal agent

Voices

Anticoagulation Update

TAKE OUR SURVEY

In a Danish study, researchers found that prenatal exposure to valproate significantly increased the risk of autism spectrum disorder and childhood autism in women taking the anti-epileptic agent.

Should women of child-bearing age be discouraged from valproate treatment?

— Yes

— No

Click Here to let us know.