Two roads diverged in a wood, and I…didn’t take either of them! Because guess what? There are more than just two roads! Despite what you may have heard, pharmacy careers encompass more than just hospital or retail work, and building on our previous career posts about Industry, tl;dr is here this time to introduce you to yet another growing sector: specialty pharmacy. What makes specialty so special? Come read to find out!
Read MorePharmacists are consistently rated in the top 5 most trusted professions in the US. This means that patients feel comfortable asking us anything - and we mean ANYTHING. So if you haven’t yet been asked about how to manage medications while intermittent fasting, we’re willing to bet you’ll get this question at some point in your career. If you’re not already familiar with this topic, no worries, that’s what we’re here for! Let tl;dr introduce you to the whys, whens, and hows of intermittent fasting, as well as what on earth to do with that long list of medications!
Read MoreIt’s gettin’ HOT in here… which is why each and every one of you should know how to approach and manage burn patients! It’s not just about the skin, y’all. We have to consider the lungs - and actually every other organ - too. Let tl;dr give you the rundown on initial resuscitation of patients with burns so that, whether you’re practicing at a large burn center or a rural emergency room, you know what to do.
Read MoreI’m sure you’ve all heard the saying, “Less is more.” And in the case of prostate cancer, truer words were never spoken! This week, we’re diving into men’s health to discuss why decreasing testosterone is key to treating this disease as well as how to achieve these lower levels using pharmacotherapy. And don’t worry, if you can’t remember those reproductive hormone feedback loops, we gotcha covered.
Read MoreHappy New Year! Just in time for all those insurance changes to take effect (and the barrage of new prior authorizations to be submitted), tl;dr is here to help you get through this period with the best explanation of Medicare Part D. Ever. Written by a pharmacist for pharmacists. So if you’re trying to figure out how to explain to your patients why they owe $$$ for their script and why it changes throughout the year (and you’re going crazy), soak in this post.
Read MoreWe’re winding down to the end of another year, which means it’s a perfect time for reflection. We’ve already recently admitted where we (as a profession) have perhaps been misguided with vancomycin dosing… So perhaps it’s time for us to admit yet another potential practice oopsy. Come reflect with tl;dr on the use of sodium bicarbonate in cardiac arrests and whether this is a strategy we should continue.
Read MoreSo you thought you knew everything about vancomycin pharmacokinetics, calculations, and dosing, right? Tl;dr gave you the ultimate guide a couple of years ago, and that was the end of the story... Well, unfortunately (or fortunately for patients), there’s a new dosing scheme on the block that seeks to maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity. That’s right - it’s time for tl;dr to tackle vancomycin dosing by AUC/MIC. Let us get you up to speed on your pharmacy geometry!
Read MoreOh noooo, it’s time to tackle the most dreaded of electrolyte abnormalities (at least from a learning perspective): hyponatremia! While we can’t claim to address all aspects of this giant salty topic in one post, we will happily impart everything we can to you about one particular type: SIADH. Let tl;dr demystify a chapter in the hyponatremia story with this guide to all things SIADH.
Read MoreHave you ever stopped to consider just how many beta blocker medications are available? It’s one of the most prolific classes of medications when you really stop to think about it! Why are there SO many, and how are they different from each other? How exactly do they work again? Take a trip down pharmacology memory lane with tl;dr to learn the ins and outs of this cornerstone medication class.
Read MoreYour patient is low on electrolytes, so order for them to drink a Gatorade, of course! Tsk, tsk. If only it was that simple… For a topic that seems like basic chemistry, electrolyte replacement is surprisingly daunting. But have no fear, tl;dr is here to give you the rundown on four common electrolyte deficiencies, including recognition and treatment.
Read MoreBacteria are tricky, sneaky buggers. They keep upping the resistance ante, which means we pharmacists have to constantly be on our toes when it comes to choosing appropriate therapies. Come learn about one of the more common resistance mechanisms, the ESBLs, so that you’re prepared to do battle when it reaches your doorstep!
Read MoreIt’s been a while since we’ve visited a long favorite topic here on tl;dr: diabetes. So in light of the recent addition of a critical care expert to our team, we’re taking advantage of his brain and tasking him with explaining diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Come learn how this chronic disease state can lead to an acute, life-threatening situation as well as how you, the pharmacist, can help to manage it.
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