Island Drug Podcast

This is the audio track from a video presentation. It is recommended that you head to islanddrug.com/youtube and click on diabetes complications to view the video, or, download the accompanying slides to follow along. Those can be downloaded here; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/DiabetesComplications.pdf

Today I’ll be taking about Methicillin-resistant Staph Aureus, or MRSA. Staph Aureus is a type of bacterium commonly found on the skin and in the nose. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/MRSA.pdf

April is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) awareness month. IBS is a common disorder that affects the large intestine (colon). It commonly causes cramping, abdominal pain, bloating gas, diarrhea and constipation. Despite these uncomfortable signs and symptoms, IBS doesn't cause permanent damage to your colon. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/IBS.pdf

Today's podcast is also available in video that shows the slides our pharmacist is discussing. Please see http://islanddrug.com/youtube Today we will discuss Glucose and Insulin, Diabetes and Insulin Resistance, How medications work in your body, Side effects,and Managing your medications. Please click here to download the accompanying slides; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/DiabetesMeds.pdf

In response to the events taking place in Japan, this week’s podcast will include information on potassium iodide and use after radiation exposure.

This week the FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication regarding long term use of proton pump inhibitors. This class of medications used to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach has now been shown to reduce magnesium levels in some people who have used the medications for generally a year or longer. Please click here to download the accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/MagnesiumPPI.pdf

On January 13 the FDA requested that drug manufactures limit the amount of acetaminophen in combination prescription products. Most of these are products containing a mixture of acetaminophen with an opioid such as Vicodin (hydrocodone and acetaminophen) or Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen). Within three years drug manufactures must limit the amount of acetaminophen to 325 mg per tablet or capsule. OTC products will not be affected. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/APAP.pdf

Heart disease is the #1 cause of death among both men and women in America and the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease. Every 34 seconds, someone in America has a heart attack and every minute someone dies of a heart-disease related event. Click Here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/HeartMonth2011.pdf

Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition, which causes areas of the body to become overly numb and cold in response to cool temperatures or stress.Usually it affects fingers and toes. Typically there is a very abrupt and dramatic whitening of the skin. While Raynaud’s is clearly more pronounced than simply having cold hands or feet for most people it is little more than a nuisance. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/Raynaud.pdf

Cancer of the colon is a disease in which cancerous cells develop in the tissues of the colon. In 2009, the American Cancer Society estimates that 106,000 new cases of colon cancer were diagnosed in the United States. Although colon cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer, the number of new cases and number of deaths attributed to the disease have actually declined in recent years due to improved screening and diagnostic techniques. Raising public awareness plays a very important role in this success. Please click here to download the accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/ColonCancer.pdf

In February the nation observes National Wise Health Consumer Month. Established by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine, this observance is intended to increase awareness of the importance to being an informed health consumer and the importance of being involved in your own care. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/ConsumerHealth.pdf

January is thyroid awareness month. An estimated 27 million Americans have thyroid disease, and more than half are undiagnosed. Frequently misunderstood, thyroid disease affects almost every aspect of health, so understanding more about the thyroid, and the symptoms that occur when something goes wrong, can help you protect or regain good health. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/Thyroid.pdf

In October the FDA approved Pradaxa for decreasing the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. For years patients with atrial fibrillation have had to rely on the blood. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/Pradaxa.pdf thinner warfarin. Pradaxa gives these patients an alternative.

Gout is a form of arthritis that’s caused by high uric acid levels in the blood. A gout attack occurs when excess uric acid forms crystals which cause inflammation in your joints, leading to swelling and pain. Please click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/Gout.pdf

In January the nation observes National Birth Defects Prevention Month. Current Center for Disease Control (CDC) information shows that “birth defects affect 1 in 33 babies and cause 1 in 5 infant deaths.” The cause of many birth defects is unknown; thus, not all birth defect can be prevented. However, there are measures you can take to increase the chance of having a healthy baby. Click here to download accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/BirthDefects.pdf

This week marks the CDC's effort to continue flu vaccination efforts throughout the influenza season. Please click here to download the accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/NIVW2010.pdf

On November 19, the FDA issued a drug safety communication regarding products containing the opioid propoxyphene (see full news release here; http://www.islanddrug.com/displayarticle.aspx?articleid=179 ). The FDA requested that these products be withdrawn from the US market citing new evidence of cardiac toxicity. Please click here to download the accompanying text; http://islanddrug.com/podcasts/Propoxyphene.pdf