PodcastRx

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Peptide Therapies: Balancing Hype and Hope with Hard Evidence

On this episode, we take a break from corrections-focused medicine to talk about the emerging uses of gray market peptide therapies. While GLP-1s have enjoyed a celebrity and social media-fueled blockbuster status with their demonstrated effects on weight loss and diabetes, their unapproved peptide cousins with nebulous names like BPC-157, TB-500, and MOTS-c are growing in popularity thanks in part to wellness influencers touting them as biohacks for injury recovery, muscle growth, and more. Chris looks at the science behind peptides as a whole and their amazing history in the annals of medicine, before focusing in on the history of the gray market agents and where the research stands on their use and supposed effectiveness. He also digs into some recent regulatory dustups that have muddied the waters for consumers. Before that, we look at some key clinical updates: The First mRNA Flu Vaccine Mounjaro’s New Cardiovascular Indication A New Single Tablet HIV Switch Option Levetiracetam Updates And for our trivia capsule, we revisit the history behind at the granddaddy of peptide therapies – insulin. Link to the full show notes with references for further reading. Sponsor Links: www.opticsclinical.com www.sapphire-health.com Music in this Episode: The Retro Synth by Art Haiz Vitals & Headlines (Suno AI) Breezy Thoughts (Suno AI) Trivia Time Ticker (Suno AI)

Feeling Less Anxious About Anxiolytics: Answering a Provider's Questions

It’s another listener-requested episode, and this time we’re turning our attention to anxiolytics in correctional settings. Chris provides a quick 101 on anxiolytics as a class and their outsized significance in correctional health care before addressing some very practical physician questions: Are Atarax and Vistaril truly different? Does buspirone actually work? Why does benzodiazepine monotherapy persist despite guideline recommendations? What SSRIs are better for anxiety than others? And so much more. Before that, Chris covers several important medication and regulatory updates, including the first-ever Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome guideline, the FDA approval of Simtriyo for ADHD, new international guidance on low-level HIV viremia, and emerging concerns surrounding compounded peptide therapies. We wrap things up with a fascinating look back at Miltown (meprobamate), the first “blockbuster” anxiolytic drug. Link to the full show notes with references for further reading. Sponsor Links: www.opticsclinical.com www.sapphire-health.com Music in this Episode: The Retro Synth by Art Haiz Vitals & Headlines (Suno AI) Breezy Thoughts (Suno AI) Trivia Time Ticker (Suno AI)

Dyslipidemia: Everything You Should Know

Dyslipidemia – It has an outsized presence in correctional health settings and can be tough to manage for those patients. Fortunately for providers across all settings, managing dyslipidemia is becoming more streamlined with a new set of guidelines from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association. Chris is here to break down these 2026 dyslipidemia guidelines, highlighting updated risk assessment tools, cholesterol targets, and evidence-based therapies while offering practical guidance tailored to correctional healthcare. To see Chris' handy dyslipedmia pocket guide, sign up for an account at opticsclinical.com. Before that, Chris brings us up to speed with medication news Baxfendy- A brand new aldosterone synthase inhibitor Ozempic- Oral tablets and the “retirement” of Rybelsus Hepcludex- Accelerated approval for the only Hep D drug in the US Orphines- Another synthetic opioid to look out for And to finish things out, we look at the amazing story of statins and their unlikely origin. Link to the full show notes with references for further reading. Sponsor Links: www.opticsclinical.com www.sapphire-health.com Music in this Episode: The Retro Synth by Art Haiz Vitals & Headlines (Suno AI) Breezy Thoughts (Suno AI) Trivia Time Ticker (Suno AI)

“Prepare, Prevent, Respond, Recover.”: Dealing with Drug Shortages

Drug shortages aren’t just temporary supply hiccups—they can become full-blown healthcare crises that can last for years and directly impact patient outcomes (especially in correctional settings). We look at all the dimensions of drug shortages, from manufacturing failures and fragile supply chains to economic and regulatory challenges. Chris highlights notable examples such as heparin and norepinephrine, examines the unique risks that shortages pose in correctional healthcare, and shares practical strategies that providers can use to prepare, respond, and protect patients when critical medications become scarce. Our discussion is based on a presentation that Chris was slated to give at the NCCHC Spring Conference in New Orleans that he ultimately had to miss. We briefly diverge into the why. Elsewhere, Chris takes a look at some new FDA approvals for GLP-1s and insulin, a new generic dapagliflozin, and the promising results of a recent clinical trial examining mirtazapine for methamphetamine use disorder. And in Trivia Capsule, we look back at one of the world’s first major drug shortages: quinine in the 17th century. Full show notes with references here. Sponsor Links: www.opticsclinical.com www.sapphire-health.com Music in this Episode: The Retro Synth by Art Haiz Vitals & Headlines (Suno AI) Breezy Thoughts (Suno AI) Trivia Time Ticker (Suno AI)

All Things Anticonvulsant

This March episode might be a day late, but it's definitely not short on content. In addition to last month's heartburn and gastric reflux discussion, Chris's provider friend/friend of the show wanted to hear an episode devoted to anticonvulsants. Anticonvulsants sit at the intersection of several challenging issues in the corrections environment, including medical necessity, mental health, and diversion risk. And though Chris was a bit wary of this topic, he stepped up and delivered a sprawling but practical discussion that any correctional provider could benefit from. Chris breaks down the essentials of antiepileptic drugs: how they work, when to use them, and the critical safety risks that can’t be overlooked. He also looks at lab monitoring, drug interactions, cost considerations, and their use as mood stabilizers. Chris also spends some time on gabapentin misuse in correctional settings and a common clinical pitfall: why anticonvulsants don’t work for functional (non-epileptic) seizures—and what actually does. To follow up on this heavy meal of anticonvulsant information, we finish with a light, airy dessert of fun anticonvulsant trivia. As usual, we get started with indispensable medication news with the Into the Clinic segment, including: -New drug approvals for schizophrenia and atopic dermatitis -New AHA/ACC guideline for acute pulmonary embolism severity -Follow-up info on SMART efficacy -Updated labeling for menopausal hormone therapy products Full show notes with references here. Sponsor Links: www.opticsclinical.com www.sapphire-health.com Music in this Episode: The Retro Synth by Art Haiz Vitals & Headlines (Suno AI) Breezy Thoughts (Suno AI) Trivia Time Ticker (Suno AI)

Ep. 66 - Heartburn and Gastric Reflux- Answering a Provider's "Burning" Questions

For the first time on PodcastRx, we're (finally) addressing some listener feedback! One of Chris's correctional provider contacts wanted to hear a show devoted to "all things heartburn and gastric reflux", and we were more than happy to oblige. For the main discussion, Chris covers the differences among treatment classes for heartburn and reflux medications, the latest treatment guidelines, whether proton pump inhibitors deserve a bad reputation, concerns about antacid overuse, and non-pharmacologic considerations. Before that, Chris shares a few updates related to -New motion sickness drug approval -Updated refractory constipation guidelines -Upadacitinib vs. adalimumab trial for rheumatoid arthritis -Treating scabies with ivermectin vs. permethrin -Bismuth quadruple therapy for H. pylori -GLP-1 suicide warnings And though we missed Valentine's Day, we close out the show with a look at the fascinating pharmacy origins of a chalky, but clever Valentine's Day confection. Full show notes here. Sponsor Links: www.opticsclinical.com www.sapphire-health.com Music in this Episode: The Retro Synth by Art Haiz Vitals & Headlines (Suno AI) Breezy Thoughts (Suno AI) Trivia Time Ticker (Suno AI)

Ep. 65 - Oral GLP-1s for Weight Loss: The Wait (Weight?) is Over

With the approval of oral Wegovy making headlines in the new year, it was timely to catch up with Chris on this and many other exciting developments in the realm of GLP-1s. In our main discussion, Chris talks about the immediate impact of oral Wegovy and some small but important differences from its injectable predecessors. He also gets into the application of GLP-1s outside of weight loss, the promise of new agents currently in development, the impact of GLP-1s in corrections healthcare and addresses growing concerns over safety, side-effects, and availability. For Into the Clinic, Chris shares some important updates involving gonorrhea treatments, functional seizure guidelines, ADA diabetes guidelines, and the GOLD COPD guidelines. And in our Trivia Capsule segment, we look back at some spectacular failures in the history of weight loss medications and why these drug did not live up to the weight of expectations. See full show notes with links to reference material. Sponsor Links: www.opticsclinical.com www.sapphire-health.com Music in this Episode: The Retro Synth by Art Haiz Vitals & Headlines (Suno AI) Breezy Thoughts (Suno AI) Trivia Time Ticker (Suno AI)

Ep. 64 - Holiday Check-In and Pharmacist Wishes for 2026

We apologize for the hiatus! Things have been busy the last few months, both personally and professionally. Now that everything is slowing down for the holidays, it's a perfect time to touch base and let you all know that we're still here and that we have new episodes in the works for 2026. Speaking of the new year, Chris takes a moment to share his personal pharmacist wish list for 2026. (New GLP1 approvals! Interchangable biologics! No more drug shortages! And more!) And if you're a fan of "It's a Wonderful Life", you'll definitely want to hear about the pharmacy trivia tidbit that Chris discovered in this all-time Christmas classic. What was the "poison" that Mr. Gower almost gave to a patient? Thanks for listening! Wishing all a most Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Link to full show notes.

Ep. 63 - Medication Non-Adherence: Meeting Patients Where They Are

After two jam packed episodes dedicated to disease states, we’re back for a corrections-focused look at medication non-adherence. While the failure to take medication as prescribed affects patient outcomes across every healthcare setting, Chris zeroes in on the unique “societal” factors that drive non-adherence behind bars. He gives us a rundown of clinical pharmacist strategies to promote adherence, from basic regimen changes to more in-depth counseling and education for patients and providers alike. All this plus the usual grab bag of medication news and some trivia about the very first long-acting injectable medications! Link to full show notes with references. Sponsor Links: SapphireHealth- https://www.sapphire-health.com/ OPTICS- www.diamondpharmacy.com/clincal-services Music Heard in Today's Episode: The Retro Synth by Art Haiz Medical Logo (5 Versions) by SoulProdMusic Medical by PaulYudin Ambient Relax Background by PaulYudin Fun & Quirky Upbeat Retro

Ep. 62 - Understanding Osteoporosis: A Bare Bones Overview

In this episode, we’re diving into a condition that affects over 10 million Americans but often flies under the radar—osteoporosis. Following up on last month’s discussion on insomnia, we’re once again tackling a silent, underdiagnosed condition that has major implications for older adults. Chris breaks down the basics of bone biology, the surprising impact of fractures—especially hip fractures—and the risk factors that contribute to osteoporosis. From screening guidelines and supplement strategies to the most common pharmacologic treatments, this episode is packed with practical insights for healthcare providers. All this plus medication news, trivia, and an appearance from Chris' dog. Link to full show notes with references. Sponsor Links: SapphireHealth- https://www.sapphire-health.com/ OPTICS- www.diamondpharmacy.com/clincal-services Music Heard in Today's Episode: The Retro Synth by Art Haiz Medical Logo (5 Versions) by SoulProdMusic Medical by PaulYudin Ambient Relax Background by PaulYudin Fun & Quirky Upbeat Retro

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