Real Time Pharmacology

  Let's get a TSH blood test for our family and friends Normal serum TSH ranges are higher in the  people age 70 to 80 years ; based on this, higher serum TSH goals may be needed as a patient ages.  The American Thyroid Association (ATA) suggests raising the target serum TSH to 4-6 m IU/L for 70 years-old and up The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped hormone-producing gland located at the front of the neck. The thyroid gland secretes two main hormones:  thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3).   These hormones regulate energy levels, metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates, body temperature, heart rate.  Hypothyroidism happens when the underactive thyroid gland doesn't make enough hormones. Hypothyroidism affects up to 10% of the general population (5% undiagnosed) . A n autoimmune disease called Hashimoto's diseas e where our body  makes antibodies that attack healthy thyroid tissues  is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in soc...

Corona virus XBB and XBB.1 were first identified in India in mid-August and quickly became predominant in India.  The spike protein of the predominant XBB subvariant has 14 mutations in addition to those found in BA.2, including 5 in the N-terminal domain (NTD) and 9 in the receptor-binding domain (RBD), whereas XBB.1 has an additional G252V mutation. Single and combination therapies with monoclonal antibodies have received emergency use authorization for COVID-19.  Using  COVID-19 pseudovirus, which enables the study of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in cell culture,   XBB, and XBB.1 subvariants were found to have far greater antibody resistance than earlier variants. XBB sublineages are completely resistant to bebtelovimab, leaving us with no authorized antibody for treatment use. The combination of mAbs known as Evusheld that is authorized for the prevention of COVID-19 is also completely inactive against the new subvariants. This poses a serious problem for millions of im...

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of severe lower respiratory tract disease in young children. Recent RSV strain in Utah is  causing moderate to severe cough (especially during night), weakness and cold-like symptoms .  RSV infection is sometimes severe and is associated with hospitalization, mechanical ventilation, long-term complications, decreased quality of life, loss of work productivity and patient/caregiver stress.  RSV may cause inflammation and infection of small airways and lungs.  Recovery time usually ranges from 7 to 14 days, but RSV can cause serious disease. RSV combined with increasing flu circulation are keeping some hospitals and pharmacies occupied.  Seventeen states are reporting that more than 80% of beds are full, according to the data. Children’s hospitals in Utah, Arizona, the District of Columbia, Maine, Minnesota, Rhode Island, and Kentucky are almost completely at capacity. RSV can spread when viral droplets from a ...

Post-COVID conditions that last or happen after testing COVID-negative are being referred to by a wide range of names, including long COVID, post-acute COVID-19, long-term effects of COVID, post-acute COVID syndrome, chronic COVID, long-haul COVID, late sequelae, and others, as well as the research term  post-acute sequalae of SARS-COV-2 infection (PASC) Some of the long Covid patients end up having fatigue, memory loss, GI distress, breathing problems, blood abnormalities and other symptoms. There have been reports of low levels of cortisol, primary stress hormone that regulates blood pressure, glucose, sleep/wake cycles, and keeps inflammation down.  Autoantibodies are antibodies that target self-antigens. These antigens may be found in all cell types (e.g. mitochondria, chromatin, centromeres) or be highly specific for a specific cell type of the body (e.g. thyroglobulin in thyroid gland cells).  AutoAbs, especially those that neutralize type I interferons (IFNs), have...

The global monkeypox outbreak has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the WHO. Monkeypox is a smallpox-like illness that can be accompanied by a range of significant medical complications.  Monkeypox is less dangerous and contagious than smallpox.  To date there are no standard or optimized guidelines for the clinical management of monkeypox Photo credit: UK health security agency Symptoms of monkeypox can include: Fatigue Fever Headache Muscle aches and backache Swollen lymph nodes Chills A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.  The virus can spread from person-to-person through: direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex touching items (such as clothing) that ...

 T reatment of  Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA) infections is difficult due to limited antibiotic options.   The choice of treatment depends on the antibiotic susceptibility of the pathogen.  MRSA accounts for more than 60 per cent of  S. aureus  infections (1).  Daptomycin is a good alternative to vancomycin in the treatment of MRSA infections where nephrotoxicity is a concern. Real Time Patient: Hypertension, MRSA bacteremia, Opioid dependence, Discitis, vertebral osteomyelitis, paraspinal  abscess. Heparin 5000 Unit/mL Vial (heparin SODIUM)  Inject 5000 unit (1 mL) subcutaneously Twice Daily Look-Alike/Sound-Alike *High Alert* DAPTOmycin 500 mg Vial (Cubicin)  840mg/1.68vial(s) in Sodium Chloride 0.9% 100mL, Infuse 840 mg over 30 Minutes intravenously Every 24 Hours, Rate: 200 mL/Hour *DOCUMENT FLUSH BEFORE AND AFTER ACCESS* Indication: MRSA Vertebral Osteomyelitis DiphenhydrAMINE/Zinc 2% Cream (Benadryl Cream) ...