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

What Every Pharmacist Should Know about Chronic Care Management (CCM)

Come learn how chronic care management allows you to partner with other health care team members, use your clinical knowledge, and improve patient care - all within a viable business model.

PracticeStephanie KujawskiJanuary 30, 2023chronic care management CCM, medicare chronic care management program, pharmacist billing ccm, how can pharmacists make money, can pharmacists bill for ccm services, how to start a CCM program with a prescriber, how to implement an MTM service at a pharmacy

Deprive to Thrive: An Introduction to Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

I’m sure you’ve all heard the saying, “Less is more.” And in the case of prostate cancer, truer words were never spoken! This week, we’re diving into men’s health to discuss why decreasing testosterone is key to treating this disease as well as how to achieve these lower levels using pharmacotherapy. And don’t worry, if you can’t remember those reproductive hormone feedback loops, we gotcha covered.

Clinical, Pharmacy School, Practice, ResidencyStephanie KujawskiJanuary 16, 2023prostate cancer treatments medications, testosterone levels prostate cancer, how to decrease testosterone in prostate cancer, testosterone negative feedback luteinizing hormone, androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer, testosterone androgen levels prostate cancer

Medicare Part D: Everything You Need to Know, and Probably Some You Don’t

Happy New Year! Just in time for all those insurance changes to take effect (and the barrage of new prior authorizations to be submitted), tl;dr is here to help you get through this period with the best explanation of Medicare Part D. Ever. Written by a pharmacist for pharmacists. So if you’re trying to figure out how to explain to your patients why they owe $$$ for their script and why it changes throughout the year (and you’re going crazy), soak in this post.

Pharmacy School, Practice, Residency, ClinicalStephanie KujawskiJanuary 2, 2023prescription insurance coverage, how to pick a medicare part d plan, understanding medicare part d, what is the medicare donut hole, how to help patients get medications when they're in the donut hole, parts of medicare, medicare drug coverage plans deductible catastrophic coverage, pharmacy insurance plan medicare

The tl;dr Pharmacy Journal Club: Sodium Bicarbonate Use in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

We’re winding down to the end of another year, which means it’s a perfect time for reflection. We’ve already recently admitted where we (as a profession) have perhaps been misguided with vancomycin dosing… So perhaps it’s time for us to admit yet another potential practice oopsy. Come reflect with tl;dr on the use of sodium bicarbonate in cardiac arrests and whether this is a strategy we should continue.

Clinical, Pharmacy School, Practice, ResidencyStephanie KujawskiDecember 19, 2022sodium bicarbonate cardiac arrest codes, sodium bicarb out of hospital cardiac arrest, should we use bicarb in codes, sodium bicarbonate neurological ROSC recovery, pros and cons of bicarb in cardiac arrest codes

The Complete (but Practical) Guide to Dosing Vancomycin Based on AUC/MIC Targets

So you thought you knew everything about vancomycin pharmacokinetics, calculations, and dosing, right? Tl;dr gave you the ultimate guide a couple of years ago, and that was the end of the story... Well, unfortunately (or fortunately for patients), there’s a new dosing scheme on the block that seeks to maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity. That’s right - it’s time for tl;dr to tackle vancomycin dosing by AUC/MIC. Let us get you up to speed on your pharmacy geometry!

Clinical, Pharmacy School, Practice, ResidencyStephanie KujawskiDecember 5, 2022vancomycin dosing by AUC, AUC area under the curve vancomycin, trapezoidal rule for vancomycin, new vancomycin dosing recommendations IDSA, bayesian dosing for vancomycin, vancomycin pharmacokinetics

When Antidiuretic Hormone Malfunctions: The ABCs of SIADH

Oh noooo, it’s time to tackle the most dreaded of electrolyte abnormalities (at least from a learning perspective): hyponatremia! While we can’t claim to address all aspects of this giant salty topic in one post, we will happily impart everything we can to you about one particular type: SIADH. Let tl;dr demystify a chapter in the hyponatremia story with this guide to all things SIADH.

Clinical, Pharmacy School, Practice, ResidencyStephanie KujawskiNovember 21, 2022SIADH, hyponatremia, euvolemic hyponatremia, medications that cause SIADH, management of hyponatremia SIADH, using vaptans for hyponatremia SIADH, tolvaptan conivaptan SIADH, hypertonic saline hyponatremia SIADH

Pharmacology 101: An Overview of Beta Blockers

Have you ever stopped to consider just how many beta blocker medications are available? It’s one of the most prolific classes of medications when you really stop to think about it! Why are there SO many, and how are they different from each other? How exactly do they work again? Take a trip down pharmacology memory lane with tl;dr to learn the ins and outs of this cornerstone medication class.

Clinical, Pharmacy School, Practice, ResidencyStephanie KujawskiNovember 7, 2022beta blockers, beta adrenergic antagonists, beta receptor blockade, selective vs nonselective beta blockers, how do beta blockers lower blood pressure and heart rate, beta blocker isa intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, beta blocker properties

A Clinician’s Guide to Inpatient Electrolyte Replacement

Your patient is low on electrolytes, so order for them to drink a Gatorade, of course! Tsk, tsk. If only it was that simple… For a topic that seems like basic chemistry, electrolyte replacement is surprisingly daunting. But have no fear, tl;dr is here to give you the rundown on four common electrolyte deficiencies, including recognition and treatment.

Clinical, Pharmacy School, Practice, ResidencyStephanie KujawskiSeptember 26, 2022hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypophosphatemia, hypocalcemia, how to replace replete electrolytes, how much potassium magnesium calcium phosphate do I use to replace low levels, treatment of electrolyte deficiencies, how to treat low electrolyte levels

What Pharmacists Need to Know about the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and Drug Pricing

Have you heard the buzz around the new law affecting prescription drug pricing? Are you clear on what these changes mean for you and your patients? Regardless of your practice setting, the pharmacy provisions of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act are likely going to reach you, so let tl;dr give you the rundown on what you need to know.

Practice, ProfessionalStephanie KujawskiSeptember 12, 2022inflation reduction act 2022 drug pricing, prescription drug prices lowered Medicare, insulin for $35, free vaccines for Medicare, how does the new law lower drug prices

The Ins & Outs of ESBLs

Bacteria are tricky, sneaky buggers. They keep upping the resistance ante, which means we pharmacists have to constantly be on our toes when it comes to choosing appropriate therapies. Come learn about one of the more common resistance mechanisms, the ESBLs, so that you’re prepared to do battle when it reaches your doorstep!

Clinical, Pharmacy School, Practice, ResidencyStephanie KujawskiAugust 29, 2022extended spectrum beta lactamase enzyme bacteria, ESBL treatment, empiric options for ESBL infections, carbapenem ESBL treatment, what's the difference between carbapenems, why can't you use zosyn for ESBL infection