Real Life Pharmacology - Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals

Opioids Part 2 – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

In Part 2 of my series on opioids, I cover hydromorphone, oxycodone, and oxymorphone. Hydromorphone and oxycodone are two opioids that are used frequently in clinical pra

Opioids Part 1 – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

On part 1 of opioids, I’ll discuss morphine, morphine equivalents, conversion, and hydrocodone. The pharmacokinetic differences will be important between opioids, as well

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, I’m going to cover important practice pearls on skeletal muscle relaxants. Important medications that will be cover

GI Antispasmodics – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

Abdominal cramping and intestinal spasms are common complaints in patients with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Two of the most frequently prescribed m

Antacids – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

Heartburn is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints, and antacids remain a go-to option for fast symptom relief. In this episode, we’ll discuss how common ant

Gastroparesis Medications – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

Gastroparesis can be a frustrating condition for both patients and clinicians, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, early satiety, bloating, and poor glycemic control

H2 Blockers – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

H2 blockers may not receive as much attention as proton pump inhibitors, but they continue to play an important role in managing acid-related disorders. In this episode o

Proton Pump Inhibitors – Test Prep And Practice Pearls

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most commonly prescribed medications, but understanding how they work is essential for using them safely and effectively. In t

Opioid Use Disorder Medications

On this podcast episode, I cover commonly used medications for opioid use disorder. Buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone are all potential options in OUD. I’ll discus

Alcohol Use Disorder Medications

Naltrexone is often a first-line medication for AUD. It works as an opioid receptor antagonist, reducing the rewarding effects of alcohol and decreasing cravings. Patient

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

In this episode, we explore monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), one of the oldest yet most effective classes of antidepressants. We discuss how MAOIs such as phenelzine

Insomnia Medications – 6.2 Nursing Pharmacology Review Course

I cover the most important insomnia medications. We cover adverse effects, drug monitoring, and much more. You can find the full 16+ hour nursing pharmacology review co

Antidepressants: Trazodone, Nefazodone, Vilazodone, and Vortioxetine – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

In this episode, we explore four unique antidepressants that do not fit neatly into the traditional SSRI or SNRI categories: trazodone, nefazodone, vilazodone, and vortio

ICU Sedation – 6.1 Nursing Pharmacology Review Course

In this section, I educate about the most common ICU sedation medications. You can find the full 16+ hour nursing pharmacology review course, including PDF handouts, ch

SNRIs – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are a class of antidepressants that increase serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. Common agents include

Infectious Disease Section 5.4 – HIV Medications

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, remains one of the most important infectious diseases in modern healthcare, but advances in antiretroviral therapy have transformed

Mirtazapine and Bupropion – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

Mirtazapine is a unique antidepressant often chosen when depression occurs alongside insomnia or poor appetite. Its antihistamine activity makes it sedating, particularly

Infectious Disease Section 5.3- Antifungal Agents

Fungal infections are commonly encountered across healthcare settings, ranging from oral thrush and vaginal yeast infections to serious systemic infections in critically

Tricyclic Antidepressants – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

Welcome to today’s episode on the tricyclic antidepressants, commonly known as TCAs — one of the foundational medication classes in psychopharmacology. Although newer ant

Infectious Disease Section 5.2- Antiviral Agents

This nursing pharmacology review covers the essential antiviral medications commonly encountered in clinical practice and on nursing exams. The video explains how antivir