Clinical Pharmacology Essentials 2023

Clinical Pharmacology Essentials 2023 is organized by University Learning Systems (ULS).

Topic 1: Review of Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and basics of Drug/Drug and Drug/ Disease Interaction

• Identify common drug interaction mechanisms including cytochrome P450 enzymes.
• Identify relevant clinical drug interactions for common medications.
• Delineate assessment and management strategies for each drug interaction.

Topic 2: Polypharmacy in the Elderly
Recognize factors leading to polypharmacy in the elderly.                   

• Define inappropriate medications for elderly patients.      
• Describe tools to screen patients for polypharmacy. 
• Delineate best practices in polypharmacy through patient cases.

Topic 3: Infectious Disease

• Topic 3: Infectious Disease
• Topic 3A.: Review and discuss appropriate penicillin allergy assessment and intervention strategies for management.           
• Topic 3B: Discuss and determine overall role of newer antimicrobials.
• Topic 3C: 1. Review standard and new drugs for prevention of HIV infection (HIV Prep) in High Risk Individuals.

Topic 4: A Review of Current Guidelines for the Treatment of Obesity-Drugs.-0.5 hr

• Describe appropriate patient populations for weight loss pharmacotherapy.                
• Delineate key characteristics of various pharmacotherapy options including GLP-1 agonists.

Topic 5: Cardiovascular disease: HTN, Lipids, and Heart Failure, AFib and DOACs-2 hrs

• Review medications and lifestyle modifications that are recommended for the treatment of cardiovascular disease  
• Apply recommendations from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association for treatment of patients with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and atrial fibrillation
• Examine results from newer cardiovascular outcome trials evaluating the use of medications hypercholesterolemia and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction        
• Define the evidence and role in therapy of non-statin medications in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia     
• Create treatment plans that reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease

Topic 6: Immunomodulators and rheumatology medications for RA and gout, drugs-0.5 hrsNew Item

• Compare and contrast the appropriate use, risks and benefits associated with colchicine, uric acid lowering drugs, steroids and NSAIDs in the management and prevention of gout         
• Explain the roles in therapy and safety concerns for non-biologic disease modifying antirheumatic agents (DMARDs), biologic DMARDs, corticosteroids, and NSAIDs in the treatment of RA

Topic 7: Vitamins and Minerals

• Review the functions of vitamins and minerals in the body.
• Match the diseases caused with their vitamin deficiencies.
• List foods high in certain vitamins and minerals.               
• Examine problems for vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Topic 8: Overview of FDA Communications: New Drug Approvals, New Indications, New Warnings

• Review the functions of vitamins and minerals in the body.                  
• Match the diseases caused with their vitamin deficiencies.                  
• List foods high in certain vitamins and minerals.                    
• Examine problems for vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Topic 9: Pharmotherapy of PTSD, depression, and anxiety

• Discuss traditional agents used to manage depression, anxiety and PTSD  
• Identify the role of newer agents (e.g., ketamine, psilocybin) in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and PTSD                    
• Recognize cardiovascular adverse effects of psychiatric medications
• Discuss the impact of genetics on drug response and its role in the pharmacologic management of patients                     
• Explain specific important pharmacokinetic variations with pharmacologic agents in the treatment of mood disorders

Topic 10: Overview acute care/emergency care

• Manage cardiac and thromboembolic related emergencies: hypertensive emergency, acute coronary syndrome, acute stroke, and rapid response scenarios                   
• Outline the key tenets of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) management
• Discuss best practices for improving outcomes in acute respiratory failure and sepsis

Topic 11: Contraception, pregnancy, lactation and abortion

• Describe pharmacologic properties and considerations of various forms of contraception         
• Identify key recommendations and updates for contraception, emergency contraception, and options for medication abortions                          
• Evaluate the use of various forms of contraception in specific patient cases and scenarios                 
• Recognize updates in pregnancy and lactation categories for medications
• Discuss specific patient considerations related to updated pregnancy and lactation considerations