Psychiatric drugs responsible for 90,000 ED visits annually

Adverse reactions to antipsychotics, antidepressants, sedatives and anxiolytics, lithium salts or stimulant drugs are responsible for almost 90,000 emergency department (ED) visits each year by US adults, according to a study. » Full article

Class III obesity linked with substantially elevated rates of total mortality: Study

Otherwise healthy, non-smoking adults with BMI values within the class III obesity range may considerably extend their life expectancy by avoiding additional weight gain, according to a study published in PLOS Medicine. » Full article

Continuing Education

MTM essentials for antiplatelet therapy in cardiovascular disease

This month's article is the sixth in a year-long CPE series, Medication Therapy Management Considerations for Adult Patients with Cardiovascular Disease. From February 2014 through January 2015, pharmacists can earn up to 24 hours of CPE credit with 12 monthly knowledge-based activities from the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy and Drug Topics.

The goal of this month's activity is to review the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences, clinical indications, and pertinent drug-drug interactions for antiplatelet agents in cardiovascular disease.

To read and print the article with TEST QUESTIONS, click here. To proceed to the online exam and earn up to 2 CPE credits, click here to log in with the session code 14DT08-KTF27.

Announcement: Starting this month, our CE activities have moved to a new learning management system to better serve you. The login to the Online CE Center is https://web2.uconn.edu/pharmacyce/login.php. All current user registration information has been uploaded for your convenience. Current users do not need to register. To review your registration page to ensure the data is up to date or to register, go to https://web2.uconn.edu/pharmacyce/program_register.php. For a full list of courses, go to http://pharmacy.uconn.edu/academics/ce/drug-topics-and-uconn-ce/

• FDA antidepressant warnings may have led to more teen suicide attempts: Study

• Maintaining normal waist circumference can help prevent COPD

RESOURCES

Latest Clinical News

Canagliflozin may be cost-effective treatment option for type 2 diabetes with diet, exercise

In adult patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy, canagliflozin (Invokana) 100 mg and 300 mg reduced relative risk for myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure, as compared to sitagliptin 100 mg, according to findings of the health economic simulation analysis. » Full article