Preston Pharmacy News - September 2011

Influenza Vaccination Information

Flu season is just around the corner and it is time to start thinking about vaccination. The CDC reports that most influenza occurs from October through May. Annual vaccination is encouraged and the CDC recommends getting the vaccine as soon as it is available. It generally takes up to 2 weeks for protection to develop and lasts for about one year. While this season’s vaccine is the same as the 2010-2011 vaccine, the CDC is still recommending that everybody receive the vaccine this year since immunity may have declined since last year.¹ Preston Pharmacy currently has the 2011-2012 flu vaccine in stock.

Medicare Part D Enrollment

Open enrollment for Medicare Part D plans has changed this year. This year’s time frame is October 15 – December 7

Continuing Education Opportunity

Preston Pharmacy has partnered with the National Institute for Health Education and Training to provide education and CE credits to nurses and administrators. Programs are scheduled for the first and last Wednesdays of each month and began August 31. Each month one program will focus on Assisted Living Facilities while the other will be directed toward Skilled Nursing Facilities.

Tylenol Recommendations

In the future you will notice that Preston Pharmacy MARs state to avoid exceeding 3,000mg/day of acetaminophen (reduced from 4,000mg/day). This decision was made in response to recent industry information, and we feel that it is in the best interest of our patients’ well-being. There are currently over 600 over-the-counter and prescription products which contain acetaminophen, increasing the risk for accidental overdose.² Please be aware of all routine and PRN acetaminophen-containing products that your residents are taking to avoid exceeding the maximum daily dose.

Medication Safety

Dangerous Drug Interaction³
Ace Inhibitors (benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, trandolapril) and Potassium Supplements – can lead to elevated serum potassium levels. Serum potassium levels should be monitored periodically. When reporting potassium levels, be aware of any ACE Inhibitors or ARBs that the resident is taking. FYI: ARBs = azilsartan, candesartan, eprosartan, irbesartan, losartan, olmesartan, telmisartan, valsartan.

Look-Alike and Sound-Alike Names⁴
Cozaar confused with Zocor
Cymbalta confused with Symbyax
Depo-Medrol confused with Solu-Medrol
Desipramine confused with Disopyramide
Diabeta confused with Zebeta
Dilacor XR confused with Pilocar
Dimenhydrinate confused w/ Diphenhydramine
Diovan confused with Zyban
Doxil confused with Paxil
Duloxetine confused with Fluoxetine

Celexa in the News

The FDA announced that the antidepressant Celexa (citalopram) should not be used at doses greater than 40mg/day. This is because it can cause changes in the electrical activity of the heart which can cause an abnormal heart rhythm. Studies have not shown doses above 40mg/day to be of any benefit in the treatment of depression. Patients taking more than 40mg/day should talk to their healthcare provider before making changes and alert their provider if they experience an irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting.⁵

Quote of the Month

“If you can dream it, you can do it” – Walt Disney

References for September, 2011 Issue

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2011-12 Influenza Vaccine and Vaccine Information. Available at: /www.cdc.gov. Accessed August 19, 2011.
Tylenol website. New initiatives to help encourage appropriate use of Tylenol. Available at: www.tylenol.com. Accessed August 15, 2011.
Top ten drug interactions most dangerous to seniors in long-term-care. Available at: www.drugdanger.com. Accessed August 23, 2011.
Institute for Safe Medication Practices. ISMP’s list of confused drug names. Available at: www.ismp.org. Accessed August 23, 2011.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Drug Safety Communication: Abnormal heart rhythms associated with high doses of Celexa (citalopram hydrobromide). Available at: www.fda.gov. Accessed August 25,2011.

Download

Download our newsletter for reading at a later time.

September, 2011