clinical pearls

Question 1

acyclovir

Question 2

albendazole

Question 3

albuterol

Answer 3

increased HR/BP

Question 4

alendronate

Answer 4

once weekly
take with a full glass of water
stay upright for 30 minutes after taking
don’t use if trouble swallowing

Question 5

allopurinol

Question 6

alprazolam

Answer 6

C-IV
do not crush XR
on Beer’s list- avoid in older adults
C/I- narrow angle glaucoma

Question 7

amiodarone

Answer 7

high alert medication
Beer’s criteria- avoid as first line for A-fib unless the patient has HF
C/I- bradycardia, AV block, cardiogenic shock

Question 8

amitriptyline

Answer 8

black box warning for suicide
don’t use in children under 12
C/I with MAOI use
on Beer’s list- avoid in older adults (orthostatic hypotension)

Question 9

amlodipine

Answer 9

peripheral edema

Question 10

amoxicillin

Answer 10

take with food

Question 11

amoxicillin/clavulanate

Answer 11

take with food

Question 12

aripirazole

Answer 12

black box warning for dementia, suicidality
CYP2D6 poor metabolizers should receive 50% lower dose
Beer’s criteria for stroke risk in schizophrenia or bipolar disorder

Question 13

atazanavir

Answer 13

do not open capsules

Question 14

atenolol

Answer 14

avoid abrupt withdrawal

Question 15

atomoxetine

Answer 15

weight based dosing with cutoff of 70 kg
adjust dose if CYP2D6 poor metabolizer

Question 16

atorvastatin

Answer 16

CYP3A4/5 substrate
myopathy common
rhabdomyolysis uncommon but serious- dark urine
avoid excessive grapefruit juice

Question 17

azathioprine

Answer 17

TMPT-poor metabolizers require dose adjustment
Boxed warning for malignancy
high alert medication

Question 18

azelastine

Question 19

azithromycin

Question 20

baclofen

Answer 20

Boxed warning: avoid abrupt discontinuation
intrathecal dosage form is high alert

Question 21

baricitinib

Answer 21

Boxed warning: severe infections

Question 22

benazepril

Answer 22

cough is common
angioedema is possible