Pharmacogenomics and Precision Medicine Part 1

How many of you have heard a patient state that they need “the blue tablet” because nothing else works? Have you ever wondered whether there’s some underlying truth to their request? Before you get too exasperated trying to figure out which NDC they’re talking about, consider the possibility of a nugget of truth there. Although all humans are astoundingly genetically similar, we’re also clearly not clones. So it stands to reason that our genetic differences could also cause variability in our reactions to medications. Welcome to pharmacogenomics! Let tl;dr introduce you to this field and the opportunities that await.

Clinical, Pharmacy School, Practice, ResidencyStephanie KujawskiAugust 15, 2023pharmacogenomics, genes and drugs, genetics and medications, how to optimize medication therapy using genetics, why isn't pharmacogenomics more popular, how can pharmacogenomics improve patient care

NICU Series Part 2: Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) in Premature Neonates

Have you ever stopped to marvel at how some of our littlest patients have the biggest hearts? Having just entered the world and without a clue about what’s going on, they so often fight, Fight, FIGHT for life! Total miracles. Even so, sometimes those big little hearts just don’t quite mature the way they need to, so we have to give them a little extra help. Let tl;dr give you the scoop on how a couple of common adult medications can be put to unusual uses for the neonatal heart.

Clinical, Pharmacy School, Practice, ResidencyStephanie KujawskiJuly 31, 2023NICU pharmacology, neonatal ICU patent ductus arteriosus PDA, ibuprofen indomethacin neonates, NSAIDs in neonates, NSAIDs neonates PDA, cardiac issues in neonates NICU pharmacy, premature baby PDA NSAIDs COX inhibitors

Acute Stabilization of Severe Bleeds Part 1: Reversal of Anticoagulation

There was a time several years ago that we here at tl;dr might have seemed a smidge obsessed with anticoagulants. (Because, tbh, we were. They were all the rage. We liked writing about them. A lot. And often.) Now, after a slight hiatus, we’re back with still more anticoagulant fun! Except this time, we’re turning the tables. What do we do when anticoagulation goes awry, and we need to hit the power button to turn it OFF? Let’s explore!

Clinical, Pharmacy School, Practice, ResidencyStephanie KujawskiJuly 17, 2023acute severe bleeding anticoagulation, anticoagulation reversal, how to stop bleeding while on anticoagulant, how to reverse effects of anticoagulant, reversal of warfarin DOACs heparin dabigatran, clotting cascade anticoagulation, reversal of anticoagulation for bleed, hemorrhage on anticoagulation

The Pharmacist's Rundown on Pediatric Vaccines

For those of you who enjoyed our rundown on adult vaccines this past March and were just hoping and waiting for a similar overview for children, guess what - wish granted! Let tl;dr give you the need to know info on how the immune system develops in infants, as well as what vaccines kids should receive (and why, of course!). Spoiler alert: we rather like vaccines around here.

Clinical, Pharmacy School, Practice, ResidencyStephanie KujawskiJuly 3, 2023pediatric vaccines, pediatric immune system development, pediatric immunoglobulin types levels, children and vaccines, can pharmacists give pediatric vaccines, how to manage vaccine reactions in kids

NICU Series Part 1: Respiratory Issues in Premature Neonates

After a bit of a break from the world of pediatrics, tl;dr is diving back in! And we’re diving not just into general pediatrics but the specialty world of neonates. (We don’t play around here. Go big or go home, right?). So come with us for the start of our first ever NICU mini-series with a post on respiratory issues in the smallest of our precious gifts.

Clinical, Pharmacy School, Practice, ResidencyStephanie KujawskiJune 19, 2023NICU pharmacology, medications used for neonates, neonatal ICU respiratory issues, NICU babies apnea, NICU babies BPD CLD, NICU caffeine citrate Cafcit

The Pharmacist's Dos & Don'ts of Rapid Sequence Intubation (RSI)

As pharmacists, there are maaaaany topics for which we have the luxury of time to investigate and double check answers. (You know we love that lovely phrase, “I’m not sure, but I’ll look it up and let you know.”) That being said, there are also some situations in which this extra time just isn’t on the table, and we need to have that knowledge in our hip pockets (sometimes literally!). Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is one of these time-sensitive topics, so let tl;dr give you the need to know info.

Clinical, Pharmacy School, Practice, ResidencyStephanie KujawskiJune 6, 2023rapid sequence intubation, RSI drugs, intubation drugs and doses, sedation for RSI, induction for RSI, use of paralytics in RSI intubation

The Ultimate Guide to HIV for Pharmacists (Reboot)

It’s an understatement to say that HIV is a monster of a disease state. I mean, who’s with me? So many drugs with so many mechanisms of action, it can be hard to keep track. If this sounds like you, struggling to understand the difference between NRTIs and NNRTIs (let alone where they fit into a treatment regimen) you’re not alone. Luckily, this guide right here was literally developed with you in mind. Because someone’s gotta make it make sense, right?

The GLP-1 Agonists and Obesity: How Diabetes Drugs are Changing Non-Diabetic Lives

Imagine designing a medication trial hoping to demonstrate one benefit…and then finding out that your study drug just happens to have significant additional health benefits? You’d be jumping for joy! Well, that’s exactly what happened with the GLP-1 receptor agonists. Originally intended for treatment of type 2 diabetes, they’re now making huge waves in the fight against obesity. Learn how in this star-studded post!

Clinical, Pharmacy School, Practice, ResidencyStephanie KujawskiMay 8, 2023ozempic, mounjaro, wegovy, saxenda, weight loss drugs, GLP-1 agonists weight loss, anti-obesity medications, using diabetes drugs for weight loss, do GLP-1s work for weight loss

What Every Pharmacist Should Know about Pseudohyperkalemia

Have you ever encountered a lab result that just didn’t make sense? Like, the clinical picture of the patient didn’t match what the lab reported? It happens, and as pharmacists, we need to have a critical brain for asking ourselves whether the lab result could be fake news. Let tl;dr share some quick knowledge about one such scenario - pseudohyperkalemia.

Clinical, Pharmacy School, Practice, ResidencyStephanie KujawskiApril 10, 2023hyperkalemia, pseudohyperkalemia, falsely elevated potassium level lab, how to know when potassium is falsely elevated, electrolyte disorders, leukemia and potassium serum levels

The Pharmacist's Rundown on Adult Vaccinations

We know, we know, you’re like please not another website about vaccines (#vaccinefatigue)…BUT hear us out! We realize the world’s been totally engrossed with COVID-19 vaccines for the last few years, but are you familiar with the other major vaccines recommended for adults? We can’t forget about those! Join tl;dr for the rundown on vaccine types, how they work with the immune system to produce protection, and the highlights for the most commonly recommended adult vaccinations.

Clinical, Pharmacy School, Practice, ResidencyStephanie KujawskiMarch 28, 2023how do vaccines work, what are the different types of vaccines, which vaccines should adults receive, recommended adult vaccinations, covid 19 shingles pneumococcal hepatitis flu tetanus vaccines, basics of vaccines, how are antibodies made

The Pharmacist's Guide to Intermittent Fasting

Pharmacists 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!

Clinical, Pharmacy School, Practice, ResidencyStephanie KujawskiFebruary 27, 2023intermittent fasting how it works, benefits of intermittent fasting on health, managing medications for intermittent fasting, diabetes and intermittent fasting

The Pharmacist's Introduction to Burns Resuscitation

It’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.

Clinical, Pharmacy School, Practice, ResidencyStephanie KujawskiFebruary 13, 2023pharmacotherapy for treating burn patients, how to manage burns in the ER, cyanide poisoning smoke inhalation injury, carbon monoxide poisoning smoke inhalation injury, types of burns and management, pharmacy emergency medicine burns