Explore every episode of the podcast Medicines And Stuff

Creatine is a chemical found naturally in the body. It is often used to improve exercise performance and muscle.

The episode is about its use and properties.

From July 2021 trainee pharmacists are assessed against the GPhC interim learning outcomes. These describe the knowledge, skills and attributes a trainee must demonstrate by the end of their foundation training year and reflect current pharmacy practice. Source:

The Foundation Trainee Pharmacist Programme | Health Education England (hee.nhs.uk)

Sources:

https://www.hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Foundation%20Trainee%20Pharmacist%20Assessment%20Strategy%20v3%20June%202023%20FINAL.pdf

https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/pharmacy/transforming-pharmacy-education-training/initial-education-training-pharmacists-reform-programme/foundation-trainee-pharmacist

Antiplatelet treatment is drug treatment that decreases platelet aggregation and inhibit thrombus formation in the arterial circulation. Episode includes general information about indications and recommended drug choices.

© NICE [2022] Antiplatelet treatment: Summary. Available from https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/antiplatelet-treatment/ All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights

Neuropathic pain is a symptom that develops as a result of damage to, or dysfunction of, the somatosensory system.

CKS NICE provides guide on treatment options.

© NICE [2022] Neuropathic pain - drug treatment. Available from https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/neuropathic-pain-drug-treatment/ All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights

The SDW 100 is a 100 mile foot race taking in the entire South Downs Way national trail. This episode is a race report summarising my experience during this fantastic event.

Content: supporting people taking a dependence-forming medicine or antidepressant, making decisions about prescribing and taking, starting, reviewing and withdrawing these medicines.

NICE guideline [NG215] Medicines associated with dependence or withdrawal symptoms: safe prescribing and withdrawal management for adults. Available from https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng215 All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights

The asthma control test (ACT) is a validated symptom measure which can be used with or without peak flow monitoring to aid diagnosis and assess the impact of asthma symptoms on patients’ lives.

It can be found here:

https://www.asthmacontroltest.com/en-gb/welcome/

'© NICE [April 2023] Anaemia - B12 and folate deficiency: Summary. Available from https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anaemia-b12-folate-deficiency/ All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights

The Arc of Attrition is a point-to-point extreme coastal race taking in 100 miles of the stunning and dramatic Cornish coast-path.

Hope this episode will be useful for runners who plan to complete this race :)

Oxybutynin is a medicine used to treat symptoms of an overactive bladder. Episode contains general information about pharmacological properties, indications, side effects and dosage. Source: BNF, www.nhs.uk, EMC

Main recommendations to consider during asthma review about self-management, decreasing maintenance therapy and monitoring.

Short episode about points to consider during initial clinical assessment in people with suspected asthma.

Source:

Sources:

https://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/quality-improvement/guidelines/asthma/

https://ginasthma.org/gina-reports/

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng80

Yoga Nidra or Non-sleep deep rest (NSDR), is the kind of rest when the body is in a relaxed state, but the mind is still awake.

It usually involves following guided meditation that helps to slow down the brain wave frequency, similar to what happens during sleep, only that in this case person is awake.

Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/@hubermanlab

https://www.joinvitalhealth.com/blog/non-sleep-deep-rest

VO2 max (also maximal oxygen consumption, maximal oxygen uptake or maximal aerobic capacity) is the maximum rate of oxygen consumption attainable during physical exertion.

Useful links:

https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/a773975/what-is-running-economy/

https://www.healthline.com/health/vo2-max

The Effect of Training Intensity on VO2max in Young Healthy Adults: A Meta-Regression and Meta-Analysis - PMC (nih.gov)

Survival of the fittest: VO2max, a key predictor of longevity? - PubMed (nih.gov)

Source:

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anaemia-iron-deficiency/

Orlistat is a medication used to treat obesity. Episode include pharmacological properties, indication, contraindications, cautions, side effects.

Sources:

https://www.nhs.uk/

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/

https://bnf.nice.org.uk/

Candesartan is a medicine called angiotensin 2 antagonist widely used to treat hypertension and heart failure. Episode is description of main properties of Candesartan.

Sources:

https://bnf.nice.org.uk/

https://www.nhs.uk/

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/

Metformin is a medicine used mainly to treat type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.

Episode contains general information about pharmacological properties, indications, contraindications, side effects doses and history.

Sources:

https://bnf.nice.org.uk/

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc

https://www.nhs.uk/

Semaglutide is an antidiabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Episode includes general information about pharmacological properties, indication, side effects, contraindications and cautions.

HAS-BLED and ORBIT are tools developed to assess risk of bleeding in people taking anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation.

Available online:

https://www.mdcalc.com/

Source:

© NICE (revised in July 2022): Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Available from https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hypertension/prescribing-information/angiotensin-converting-enzyme-inhibitors/ All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights

https://www.nice.org.uk/re-using-our-content/uk-open-content-licence#licence

Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg and atomic number 12.

It is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulate diverse biochemical reactions in the body, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation. Magnesium is required for energy production, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycolysis.

Source: 

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/

Digoxin is one of the oldest medications used in the field of cardiology. It was first isolated in 1930 from the foxglove plant - Digitalis lanata. Episode is about main pharmaco-therapeutical properties of Digoxin.

Alendronic acid is a type of medicine called a bisphosphonate. Bisphosphonates prevent the breakdown of bone and are used to treat osteoporosis and to prevent fractures. Episode contains information about indications, dose, side effects, contraindications and other properties of Alendronic acid.

Source:

'© NICE [2021] Hypothyroidism. Available from https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hypothyroidism/ All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights

NICE guidance is prepared for the National Health Service in England. All NICE guidance is subject to regular review and may be updated or withdrawn. NICE accepts no responsibility for the use of its content in this product/publication.’

Source:

Aakash K. Patel; Vamsi Reddy; John F. Araujo.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526132/#:~:text=Sleep%20occurs%20in%20five%20stages,spent%20in%20the%20N2%20stage.

Used part of the article, no changes made.

Prochlorperazine is a medicine that belongs into the pharmacotherapeutic group called phenothiazines with piperazine structure. It is mainly used for sickness. The episode is about main properties.

Spironolactone is a type of medicine called a diuretic. This episode is about indications and main properties if this drug.

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker medication which helps to treat high blood pressure and angina. Episode includes indications, dosage, pharmacokinetic properties, side effects and contraindications.

FMEA is a common process analysis tool which begun in the 1940s by the U.S. military. It is a step-by-step approach for identifying all possible failures in a design, a manufacturing or assembly process, or a product or service.

Source:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng80/resources/inhalers-for-asthma-patient-decision-aid-pdf-6727144573

Source:

'© NICE [2017] Asthma: diagnosis, monitoring and chronic asthma management

NICE guideline [NG80]Published: 29 November 2017 Last updated: 22 March 2021. Available from https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng80 All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights

NICE guidance is prepared for the National Health Service in England. All NICE guidance is subject to regular review and may be updated or withdrawn. NICE accepts no responsibility for the use of its content in this product/publication.’

Methotrexate is a type of medicine called an immunosuppressant. It slows down the body's immune system and helps reduce inflammation. The episode include pharmacological properties, indications, dosage, side effects, monitoring and cautions for use.

Losartan is a medicine widely used to treat hypertension. 

Episode is about dosage, indications, side effects and other properties of Losartan.

Dapagliflozin is a medication mainly used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus but it can also be used to treat heart failure.

This episode contains information about main properties, dosage, indications and side effects.

The Eatwell Guide represents UK government advice on a healthy, balanced diet. It is the key nutrition policy tool for health professionals and others working to improve dietary health.

Source:

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-guidelines-and-food-labels/the-eatwell-guide/

Empagliflozin is a medication used for treatment of type 2 Diabetes and Heart failure.

This episode is about pharmacological properties, indications, dosage, contraindications and side effects.

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease defines COPD as “a common, preventable and treatable disease that is characterised by persistent respiratory symptoms and airway limitation due to airway and/or alveolar abnormalities usually caused by significant exposure to noxious particles of gases”. This episode is about patophysiology, diagnosis and symptoms of COPD.

Dabigatran is a type of medicine known as an anticoagulant, or blood thinner. Episode contains info about pharmacological properties, indications, dosage, contraindications and side effects.

Edoxaban is a highly selective, direct and reversible inhibitor of FXa (enzyme in the coagulation cascade). 

Episode contains info about pharmacological properties, indications, dosage, contraindications and side effects.

Rivaroxaban is a medication used to prevent or treat harmful blood clots. The episode includes information about pharmacological properties, indications, contraindications, side effects, cautions and prescribing considerations for dose adjustments.

The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) is a hormone system within the body that is essential for the regulation of blood pressure and fluid balance. The episode is a brief overview of main stages, chemicals involved and physiological effects.

Ramipril is a medication prescribed for a number of different reasons – mostly to reduce high blood pressure, to treat heart failure, or to protect the heart and blood vessels from further damage (following a heart attack, for example).

Formoterol is called a bronchodilator and it works by relaxing the smooth muscles in the airways so that air can flow into the lungs more freely. This helps to ease symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and feeling breathless. This episode is about general properties of Formoterol.

Breathing control is simply normal, gentle breathing, using the lower chest, with relaxation of the upper chest and shoulders.

Ref: https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/breathlessness/how-to-manage-breathlessness

Sumatriptan is a medicine to treat migraines and cluster headaches. 

The episode is about mode of action, indications, dosage, contraindications, cautions and side effects.