Fluids, Blood Products and Electrolytes
This is the typical lower limit, in mEq/L, for a healthy adult's serum sodium level.
What is 135 mEq/L?
This is the most common class of oral medications prescribed for ED.
What are PDE5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, avanafil)?
Patients should be taught that it can take this long for antidepressants to show their full therapeutic effect.
What is 2 to 4 weeks (or sometimes longer)?
This is the most important piece of advice to give patients considering herbal remedies alongside their prescribed medications.
What is "always inform your doctor/pharmacist about any herbal supplements you are taking"?
This neurotransmitter is primarily associated with mood, sleep, appetite, and can be implicated in depression and anxiety disorders.
What is Serotonin?
This is the typical range, in mEq/L, for a healthy adult's serum potassium level
What is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L?
Medications like Tamsulosin, Alfuzosin, and Silodosin are examples of drugs that specifically target these receptors in the prostate.
What are alpha-1a adrenergic receptors?
Patients taking MAOIs must strictly avoid foods high in this substance to prevent a hypertensive crisis.
What is tyramine?
St. John's Wort can interact dangerously with these types of antidepressants, potentially leading to serotonin syndrome.
What are SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) or other serotonergic antidepressants?
A deficiency in this neurotransmitter in the substantia nigra is the hallmark of Parkinson's disease.
What is Dopamine?
This specific hemoglobin level (in g/dL) is often a trigger for considering PRBC transfusion in otherwise stable patients.
What is 7 g/dL?
The combination of PDE5 inhibitors and nitrates can cause this life-threatening drop in blood pressure.
What is profound hypotension?
Common early signs of lithium toxicity that patients should report immediately include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and this motor symptom.
What is hand tremor?
Patients taking Warfarin (Coumadin) should be advised to avoid or use with extreme caution these two "G" herbal remedies due to increased bleeding risk.
What are Ginkgo Biloba and Garlic?
Levodopa is a precursor to dopamine and is given to increase dopamine synthesis in the brain for this condition.
What is Parkinson's disease?
Excessive intake of this vitamin can lead to hypercalcemia, causing nausea, vomiting, and kidney stones.
What is Vitamin D?
Medications like Finasteride and Dutasteride work by inhibiting this specific enzyme, preventing prostate growth.
What is 5-alpha reductase?
Regular monitoring of this lab values is crucial for patients on lithium to ensure therapeutic levels and prevent toxicity
What is serum lithium level (and renal function/thyroid function)?
This herbal remedy, sometimes used for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), has potential anti-androgenic effects that could interact with hormonal therapies.
What is Saw Palmetto?
This class of drugs, often used for tremor and rigidity, works by blocking acetylcholine receptors to help balance neurotransmitter activity.
What are anticholinergics?
FFP is indicated for the reversal of anticoagulation, especially with warfarin, in the presence of active bleeding or before emergent procedures.
What is reversal of warfarin (or other anticoagulant) effects?
Notable side effects of the 5-alpha reductase drugs, due to their hormonal action, can be?
What are decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, or gynecomastia?
Patients should be taught that antidepressants are not "happy pills" but work by helping to correct these imbalances in the brain
What are neurotransmitter imbalances?
If a patient experiences any new or worsening symptoms after starting an herbal remedy, they should be advised to take this action immediately
What is stop the herbal remedy and contact their healthcare provider?
This benzodiazepine is a common first-line agent for status epilepticus and is often administered intravenously or intramuscularly.
What is lorazepam (Ativan) or diazepam (Valium)?