Insights Newsletter January 2024: Emerging Trends for Clinical Leadership

This month’s Insights Newsletter covers the latest practice-changing pharmacy updates, emerging trends, and popular natural medicine topics and resources. 

Consider Pros and Cons of Zepbound or Wegovy for Obesity

There’s a lot of buzz about medications for weight loss, and you’ll hear debate about the role of injectable tirzepatide (Zepbound) or semaglutide (Wegovy) for obesity. Our Letter articles review tirzepatide, the dual glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist, and the GLP-1 agonists semaglutide and liraglutide. We discuss benefits of these medications and how they compare to other options for weight loss. We also review side effects, including strategies to minimize GI effects. Our resource, Weight Loss Products, includes a chart with dosing, expected weight loss, and other considerations for use. Read More

Prepare for Opill, the First OTC Oral Contraceptive

Patients will have questions about norgestrel 0.075 mg tablets (Opill), the first daily oral contraceptive available over the counter. Our Letter articles summarize safety and efficacy of progestin-only pills and how they compare to combination oral contraceptives. We also discuss counseling tips to help patients navigate norgestrel tablets (Opill). Our resource, Choosing a Contraceptive, answers common questions about patient-specific considerations to help choose a contraceptive. It also includes common contraceptive-related patient complaints and management considerations. Read More

Treat Acute Pain in Patients on Chronic Opioids

Patients who take chronic opioids may be admitted to the hospital for situations that require treatment of acute pain on top of their chronic pain. These patients often need larger opioid doses, which can exceed the comfort zone of many clinicians. Our Letter article identifies best practices for treating acute-on-chronic pain. We summarize practical approaches, such as starting with non-opioid analgesics since they are as effective as opioids in many cases. We present a sample calculation to walk clinicians through the complex steps of determining an approach for adding a prn opioid for the acute pain in a patient who takes scheduled opioids for chronic pain. Our resource, Opioid Stewardship Checklist, provides more guidance about steps hospitals can take to meet their stewardship goals. Read More

Supplements Promoted for Dry January

As we celebrate the New Year, along with resolutions, there are many that participate in Dry January. Dry January may help patients feel supported in abstaining, its popularity has also resulted in a growing market of supplements touted for liver support and alcohol withdrawal. Our NatMed article discusses supplements that are often used in by patients that participate in this lifestyle reset. We advise providers that while supplements may make claims to support sobriety or alcohol detox, they are not supported by strong clinical evidence. Read More

Other Covered Topics

Find out how to accelerate pharmacy technician training and onboarding, prepare for the upcoming 2024 legislative changes, and listen to the latest Medication Talk podcast. Read More