Real Life Pharmacology - Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals

Epizody

• SNRIs – Test Prep and Practice Pearls 04.06.2026 15min

  Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are a class of antidepressants that increase serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. Common agents include venlafaxine (Effexor XR), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), levomilnacipran (Fetzima), and milnacipran (Savella). In addition to treating depression and anxiety disorders, several SNRIs have important pain indications, making them especially useful in patients with neuropathy, fibromyalgia, or chronic musculoskeletal pain. Common adverse effects include nausea, sweating, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, and elevated blood pressure. Clinicians should also remember the significant discontinuation risk associated with shorter half-life agents like venlafaxine and desvenlafaxine. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE! Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources! NAPLEX Study Materials BCPS Study Materials BCACP Study Materials BCGP Study Materials BCMTMS Study Materials Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated) Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller) Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101
• Infectious Disease Section 5.4 – HIV Medications 01.06.2026 18min

  Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, remains one of the most important infectious diseases in modern healthcare, but advances in antiretroviral therapy have transformed it from a fatal diagnosis into a manageable chronic condition for many patients. In this episode, we’ll break down the major medication classes used to treat HIV, discuss how these drugs work, review key adverse effects and drug interactions, and highlight practical nursing considerations that impact patient safety and adherence. Whether you work in acute care, outpatient practice, long-term care, or public health, understanding HIV pharmacology is essential to providing compassionate, evidence-based care for patients living with HIV and AIDS. You can find the full 16+ hour nursing pharmacology review course, including PDF handouts, cheat sheets, practice questions, and on-demand videos at meded101.com!
• Mirtazapine and Bupropion – Test Prep and Practice Pearls 28.05.2026 14min

  Mirtazapine is a unique antidepressant often chosen when depression occurs alongside insomnia or poor appetite. Its antihistamine activity makes it sedating, particularly at lower doses, and it commonly increases appetite and weight. Unlike many SSRIs, mirtazapine has a lower risk of sexual dysfunction and gastrointestinal side effects because it blocks 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors. It is frequently dosed at bedtime and can be especially useful in older adults or medically ill patients who need both mood improvement and help with sleep or weight gain. Bupropion is an activating antidepressant that works by increasing norepinephrine and dopamine activity rather than serotonin. It is often preferred in patients with fatigue, low motivation, hypersomnia, or concerns about sexual dysfunction and weight gain. Bupropion is also approved for smoking cessation. Common adverse effects include insomnia, anxiety, dry mouth, and headache. A major clinical pearl is its dose-related seizure risk, making it contraindicated in patients with seizure disorders or eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE! Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources! NAPLEX Study Materials BCPS Study Materials BCACP Study Materials BCGP Study Materials BCMTMS Study Materials Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated) Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller) Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101
• Infectious Disease Section 5.3- Antifungal Agents 25.05.2026 17min

  Fungal infections are commonly encountered across healthcare settings, ranging from oral thrush and vaginal yeast infections to serious systemic infections in critically ill patients. In this episode, we’ll review the major antifungal medications nurses should know, including azoles, echinocandins, polyenes, and topical antifungals. We’ll focus on practical nursing considerations such as monitoring for adverse effects, recognizing important drug interactions, administration tips, and patient education points. By the end of the episode, listeners will have a stronger understanding of how antifungal medications work and how nurses play a key role in ensuring safe and effective treatment. You can find the full 16+ hour nursing pharmacology review course, including PDF handouts, cheat sheets, practice questions, and on-demand videos at meded101.com!
• Tricyclic Antidepressants – Test Prep and Practice Pearls 21.05.2026 17min

  Welcome to today’s episode on the tricyclic antidepressants, commonly known as TCAs — one of the foundational medication classes in psychopharmacology. Although newer antidepressants like SSRIs often dominate modern prescribing, TCAs remain highly relevant in clinical practice because of their effectiveness in treatment-resistant depression, chronic pain syndromes, migraine prevention, insomnia, and certain anxiety disorders. In this episode, we’ll break down the pharmacology behind these medications, discuss how tertiary amines differ from secondary amines, review major adverse effects and drug interactions, and highlight the key clinical pearls that healthcare professionals and students need to know. Whether you’re a medical, pharmacy, nursing, or PA student preparing for exams, or a practicing clinician looking for a practical refresher, this episode will give you a solid framework for understanding this classic but still clinically important medication class. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE! Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources! NAPLEX Study Materials BCPS Study Materials BCACP Study Materials BCGP Study Materials BCMTMS Study Materials Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated) Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller) Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101
• Infectious Disease Section 5.2- Antiviral Agents 18.05.2026 15min

  This nursing pharmacology review covers the essential antiviral medications commonly encountered in clinical practice and on nursing exams. The video explains how antiviral drugs work, what infections they treat, and the key nursing considerations for safe medication administration and monitoring. Major medications discussed may include acyclovir, valacyclovir, oseltamivir, antiretroviral therapy, and other commonly prescribed agents. You can find the full 16+ hour nursing pharmacology review course, including PDF handouts, cheat sheets, practice questions, and on-demand videos at meded101.com!
• SSRIs Test Prep and Practice Pearls – Part 2 14.05.2026 14min

  SSRI adverse effects are critical to know. In part 2 of this 2-part series on SSRIs, we cover the most important adverse effects to know, in addition to putting a nice bow on the most important clinical practice pearls on each SSRI. Enjoy the show! Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE! Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources! NAPLEX Study Materials BCPS Study Materials BCACP Study Materials BCGP Study Materials BCMTMS Study Materials Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated) Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller) Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101
• Infectious Disease Section 5.1- Antibiotics 11.05.2026 42min

  This nursing pharmacology review provides a high-yield overview of the most important antibiotic classes used in clinical practice. The video explains how common antibiotics work, what infections they treat, and the major nursing considerations associated with each class. Key topics include penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, vancomycin, aminoglycosides, and sulfonamides. Emphasis is placed on side effects, black box warnings, allergy considerations, renal dosing, patient counseling, and critical monitoring parameters nurses should recognize in both inpatient and outpatient settings. You can find the full 16+ hour nursing pharmacology review course, including PDF handouts, cheat sheets, practice questions, and on-demand videos at meded101.com!
• SSRIs – Test Prep and Practice Pearls Part 1 07.05.2026 23min

  In this episode, we break down the pharmacology of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) with a focus on the high-yield clinical pearls pharmacists, medical students, and healthcare professionals need to know. We compare the major SSRIs—including fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, citalopram, escitalopram, and fluvoxamine—based on adverse effects, drug interactions, pharmacokinetics, and board exam relevance. Topics include serotonin syndrome, discontinuation syndrome, CYP450 interactions, QT prolongation, sexual dysfunction, weight changes, and SSRI selection in special populations such as older adults and pregnancy. Whether you are preparing for exams, clinical rotations, or looking to sharpen your psychopharmacology knowledge, this episode provides practical and memorable insights into one of the most commonly prescribed medication classes. This is Part 1 of 2. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE! Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources! NAPLEX Study Materials BCPS Study Materials BCACP Study Materials BCGP Study Materials BCMTMS Study Materials Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated) Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller) Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101
• Thyroid Disorders – Section 4.5 – Free Nursing Pharmacology Review Course From Meded101 04.05.2026 15min

  This podcast episode gives nurses a practical, easy-to-apply overview of common thyroid disorders, focusing on how to recognize and manage both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in clinical practice. It reviews key differences in presentation—such as fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance in hypothyroidism versus weight loss, tachycardia, and heat intolerance in hyperthyroidism—while connecting these symptoms to underlying physiology. Nurses will learn important medication considerations, including proper administration of levothyroxine and monitoring for adverse effects with methimazole. The episode also highlights critical safety topics like recognizing thyroid storm, interpreting lab values (TSH, T3, T4), and providing effective patient education. With real-world clinical pearls, this episode helps nurses build confidence in managing thyroid conditions across care settings. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!
• Real Life Examples: Polypharmacy and the Prescribing Cascade Part 2 of 2 30.04.2026 14min

  Polypharmacy is one of the most common—and often overlooked—challenges in modern healthcare, especially in older adults. It’s not just about the number of medications a patient is taking, but whether each one still has a clear indication, is providing benefit, and isn’t causing harm. As medication lists grow, so does the risk of adverse effects, drug interactions, and something we see all the time in practice: the prescribing cascade. A prescribing cascade happens when a medication causes a side effect that is misinterpreted as a new medical condition, leading to the addition of another drug. Over time, this can snowball into unnecessary complexity and increased risk for patients. In part 2 of this podcast, we outline 5 more examples that I’ve encountered in my geriatric pharmacist practice. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE! Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources! NAPLEX Study Materials BCPS Study Materials BCACP Study Materials BCGP Study Materials BCMTMS Study Materials Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated) Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller) Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101
• Insulin Therapy Section 4.4 – Free Nursing Pharmacology Review Course 27.04.2026 18min

  This podcast episode gives nurses a practical, bedside-focused guide to insulin therapy, helping simplify one of the most important—and often confusing—areas of diabetes management. It reviews key insulin types, including rapid-acting insulin lispro, long-acting insulin glargine, and intermediate options like NPH insulin, highlighting onset, peak, and duration differences that drive dosing decisions. Nurses will learn how to safely administer insulin, adjust for meals and blood glucose trends, and recognize and treat hypoglycemia quickly. Real-world clinical tips are included to help nurses feel confident managing insulin in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!
• Real Life Examples: Polypharmacy and the Prescribing Cascade Part 1 of 2 23.04.2026 11min

  Polypharmacy isn’t just about medication count—it’s about cumulative risk and unintended consequences. One of the biggest drivers is the prescribing cascade, where a drug side effect is mistaken for a new condition, and another medication gets added instead of addressing the root cause. You see this all the time in practice. A patient starts amlodipine and develops edema, then gets placed on furosemide. Or donepezil leads to urinary symptoms, and oxybutynin is added—potentially worsening cognition. These patterns add risk quickly. In this episode, I’ll break down common examples that I have recently encountered in practice. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE! Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources! NAPLEX Study Materials BCPS Study Materials BCACP Study Materials BCGP Study Materials BCMTMS Study Materials Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated) Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller) Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101
• Diabetes Medications Section 4.3 – Free Nursing Pharmacology Review Course 20.04.2026 21min

  This podcast episode provides nurses with a clear, practical overview of non-insulin diabetes medications, focusing on how to safely and effectively manage patients with type 2 diabetes. It reviews key drug classes such as metformin, glipizide, empagliflozin, and semaglutide, emphasizing mechanisms of action, common side effects, and important monitoring parameters. Nurses will learn how to recognize risks like hypoglycemia with sulfonylureas, genitourinary infections with SGLT2 inhibitors, and gastrointestinal effects with GLP-1 agents, along with key patient counseling points. The episode also connects medication selection to real-world considerations such as weight impact, cardiovascular benefit, and kidney function, helping nurses feel more confident in supporting individualized diabetes care. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!
• Heart Failure Medications – Loops, SGLT2s, and ARNI – Test Prep and Practice Pearls 16.04.2026 16min

  If you’re managing patients with heart failure, you already know the medication landscape has evolved quickly over the past decade. From traditional volume management with furosemide to newer, guideline-driven therapies like sacubitril/valsartan and empagliflozin, staying up to date is essential—but not always easy. In this episode, we break down three cornerstone medication classes you’ll encounter every day in practice: loop diuretics, ARNI therapy, and SGLT2 inhibitors. We start with the fundamentals of loop diuretics—how they work, when to use them, and key monitoring parameters—before shifting into the mortality-reducing benefits of ARNI therapy. Finally, we explore the rapidly expanding role of SGLT2 inhibitors, which have transformed both heart failure and chronic kidney disease management. Whether you’re a pharmacist, nurse, or student, this episode focuses on practical, real-world application. We highlight clinical pearls, common pitfalls, and monitoring strategies to help you feel more confident when optimizing therapy. Tune in to sharpen your understanding of these essential therapies and walk away with actionable insights you can use right away in patient care. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE! Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources! NAPLEX Study Materials BCPS Study Materials BCACP Study Materials BCGP Study Materials BCMTMS Study Materials Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated) Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller) Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101
• Diabetes Compelling Indications Section 4.2 – Free Nursing Pharmacology Review Course 13.04.2026 16min

  This podcast episode breaks down diabetes “compelling indications” in a way that’s highly practical for nurses managing complex patients. It explains how comorbid conditions like cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease influence medication selection beyond just lowering A1c. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!
• Medication Errors – Real Life Examples and Definitions – Part 2 09.04.2026 17min

  In this section, I cover the most important medication errors you’ll see in practice. I got a good start in Part 1, so go back and listen to that for some great real-life information. In this section, I talk about a few types of medication errors that have led to serious complications and life-threatening situations for our patients. Wrong patient errors are one of the highest risk errors that a healthcare professional can make, and I cover that in this podcast episode. I hope you find this episode on medication errors helpful, and if you do, I’d greatly appreciate a rating and review on iTunes or whatever platform you listen on – Thanks! Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE! Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources! NAPLEX Study Materials BCPS Study Materials BCACP Study Materials BCGP Study Materials BCMTMS Study Materials Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated) Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller) Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101
• Addison’s and Cushing’s Disease Section 4.1 – Nursing Pharmacology Review Course 06.04.2026 9min

  This podcast episode provides nurses with a practical, clinically focused overview of Addison’s disease and Cushing’s disease, highlighting key differences in pathophysiology, presentation, and management. Listeners will learn how adrenal insufficiency in Addison’s leads to symptoms like fatigue, hypotension, and hyperpigmentation, while excess cortisol in Cushing’s presents with weight gain, hypertension, and glucose intolerance. The episode emphasizes important nursing considerations such as recognizing adrenal crisis, monitoring electrolytes and blood pressure, patient education on steroid adherence, and identifying medication-related causes of Cushing’s. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!
• Medication Errors – Real Life Examples and Definitions – Part 1 02.04.2026 13min

  In this 2 part series, I cover important medication errors, including examples I’ve seen in real life. Some of the error types covered in section 1 include: Prescribing errors Omission errors Monitoring errors Dispensing errors Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE! Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources! NAPLEX Study Materials BCPS Study Materials BCACP Study Materials BCGP Study Materials BCMTMS Study Materials Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated) Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller) Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101
• Respiratory Failure Section 3.3 – Free Nursing Pharmacology Review Course 30.03.2026 14min

  Respiratory failure is a serious clinical condition that nurses frequently encounter in critical care, emergency, and acute care settings. While supportive therapies such as oxygen and mechanical ventilation are often required, medications also play an important role in stabilizing patients and addressing the underlying causes. In this episode, we’ll review the general pharmacologic strategies used in the management of respiratory failure and highlight key considerations for nursing practice. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE!