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Interactive quizzes are based on material found in Best Practice Journal and Best Tests. Initially, quizzes are posted out with journals and GPs are invited to submit their answers for CME credits.
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Older people, particularly those who are frail and with multiple morbidities, are most susceptible to the cumulative effects... View Article
Quinolones (e.g. ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin) are associated with increasing antimicrobial resistance and rare, but potentially... View Article
The nocebo effect describes adverse symptoms induced independently of the active component of a treatment. This occurs due to... View Article
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs), diuretics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory... View Article
Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab (Keytruda), are new cancer treatments which are associated with a wide range... View Article
In 2014, bpacnz published an article on the safer prescribing of clozapine. Since this time, a number of fatalities, along with... View Article
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most prescribed medicines in New Zealand. They are clinically effective and are widely... View Article
This article has been superseded by: Assessment and management of alcohol misuse by primary care bpacNZ, November 2018 If... View Article
The New Zealand Formulary (NZF) contains a function that identifies potential drug interactions and their clinical significance.... View Article
The following treatment injury case study was prepared by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) in conjunction with the... View Article
Sales of probiotic products in the community generate billions of dollars worldwide, yet many of the health claims made by the... View Article
Low-dose methotrexate is commonly used in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatologic diseases,... View Article
Updated 2021Colchicine is a plant-based alkaloid, extracted from Colchicum autumnale (autumn crocus, meadow saffron) and Gloriosa... View Article
Pharmacological treatment is an integral part of the practice of medicine, and is one of the most significant factors in improving... View Article
Contributed by Dr Michael Beasley and Dr Wayne Temple, National Poisons Centre View Article
Bone density loss leading to osteoporosis is a risk for patients taking long-term corticosteroids. Bone health is important in... View Article
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are successfully used to treat a wide range of painful conditions. However, NSAIDs... View Article
Ticagrelor (Brilinta) is a new oral antiplatelet medicine, which has been available, fully subsidised, with Special Authority,... View Article
THERE HAVE BEEN RECENT REPORTS in the literature associating the use of statins with acute kidney injury (AKI). A study by Hippisley-Cox... View Article
IN MARCH, 2012 A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE in the rate of childhood narcolepsy associated with the influenza vaccine Pandemrix (GlaxoSmithKline)... View Article
IN DECEMBER, 2012 MEDSAFE published a warning on the risk of hypomagnesaemia for people taking any proton pump inhibitor (PPI).... View Article
Dabigatran has been available for general practitioners to prescribe since July, 2011. Dabigatran is indicated for prevention... View Article
What are sulfonamides and how do they work? | Prescribing co-trimoxazole | Adverse effects of co-trimoxazole | Medicine interactions... View Article
What are tetracyclines and how do they work? | Which infections should tetracyclines be used for? | First-line indications for... View Article
How to interpret Stockley's Interaction Alerts How to use the interactions checker Relative importance of interactions Additional... View Article
Macrolides are a class of antibiotic that includes erythromycin, roxithromycin, azithromycin and clarithromycin. First-line indications... View Article
Evidence of adverse cardiac effects associated with citalopram has prompted a reduction in the recommended maximum daily dose... View Article
• New maternity referral guidelines released • Simvastatin: risk associated with high doses View Article
Dabigatran to be listed | Most broad spectrum antibiotics do not affect the combined oral contraceptive | Prescription kitchen View Article
Quinolones are associated with increasing antimicrobial resistance. Their use needs to be reserved for specific indications involving... View Article
When used and monitored correctly methotrexate can be an effective and safe treatment, however, if an error occurs and it is taken... View Article
This article has been archived. If you would like access to the original article please contact: editor@bpac.org.nz View Article
Evidence suggests that warfarin is under utilised in older people. The dilemma is that in older people with atrial fibrillation,... View Article
Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis,... View Article
Oxycodone is a strong opiod and is a second line option (after Morphine) for use at step three on the WHO analgesic ladder. It... View Article
The goal of successful pharmacological treatment in epilepsy is the complete control of seizures, however for some people this... View Article
Enoxaparin (Clexane) is a low molecular weight heparin used in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes and in the treatment... View Article
All about PPIs, Fire hazard with paraffin View Article
All antidepressant drugs are approximately equal in effectiveness, although individual patient response may vary markedly.10 View Article
Dr Michael Tatley of CARM advises on how brand changes are monitored. View Article
The use of oral fluoroquinolones is associated with increased risk of tendinitis and tendon ruptures. View Article
On April 1 2009, the Minister of Health launched a new electronic adverse reaction reporting tool in New Zealand. The tool is... View Article
There are two major safety concerns with isotretinoin : • It is teratogenic at all therapeutic doses and durations of exposure... View Article
Antiplatelet drugs including aspirin, clopidogrel and dipyrimadole, reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events by about 20-25%... View Article
Two recent studies have raised concern that the use of ipratropium and tiotropium for COPD is associated with an increased risk... View Article
Methadone is a strong opioid that may be suitable for people whose pain is uncontrolled with, or who are unable to tolerate, morphine.... View Article
Most people with rheumatoid arthritis require early treatment with disease modifying-anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy to control... View Article
Medication-overuse headache is a complex disorder best described as an interaction between a therapeutic agent used excessively... View Article
Although clozapine is a specialist prescribed drug, GPs still need to be aware of potential problems associated with its use.... View Article
Varenicline and suicidal behaviour. Wider access to quit cards.The lung age of smokers. View Article
Oral contraceptives are used by 147,000 New Zealand women. This article offers guidance for managing their use in the presence... View Article
Drug information of topical interest View Article
• Calcium Supplementation and the risk of myocardial infarction • Use of eGFR for drug dose adjustment• Compulsive gambling... View Article
• Breakthrough Bleeding • Camphor in Pregnancy View Article
Does the "seven day rule" still apply with the concomitant use of combined oral contraceptives and all antibiotics? Serotonin... View Article
Medsafe have just announced that approval for lumiracoxib (Prexige) 400 mg tablets has been revoked in New Zealand. This follows... View Article
Can Sumatriptan be used safely with SSRIs? Can you ever use beta-blockers in someone with a history of Asthma? View Article
What is the significance of the warning between ACE inhibitors and allopurinol. View Article
In the five years from 2002 to 2006 CARM (Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring) received 72 reports of acute renal failure... View Article
Clozapine is the gold-standard treatment for people with schizophrenia who are unresponsive to, or intolerant of, other antipsychotics.... View Article
Is there an association between the use of the combined oral contraceptive and Vitamin B12 deficiency View Article
Warfarin has the potential to interact with numerous drugs resulting in significant morbidity and potentially fatal bleeds. Loss... View Article
Table of important drug interactions with antidepressant medications. View Article
An overview of the CYP450 system with particular reference to the metabolism of antidepressant drugs. View Article
Covers the symptoms and causes of Serotonin Syndrome and Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome View Article
Can smoking cessation affect the dose of antipsychotics?Do statins cause nightmares?How important is it to give simvastatin at... View Article
In this article we provide an overview and guidance on the management of patients taking lithium. View Article
Reducing adverse events in patients taking amiodarone. View Article
SSRIs can increase the risk of bleeding disorders, especially if taken with an NSAID. View Article
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are an effective alternative to selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the treatment... View Article
Identifies people under the age of 18 years on paroxetine to enable checks for suicidal and aggressive behaviour View Article
Polypharmacy due to multiple physician involvement in patient care increases the risk of serious adverse drug event. View Article
Cardiovascular risk associated with NSAIDs and coxibsNSAIDs in the treatment of soft tissue injuries View Article
There are very few indications for the use of cephalosporins as first-line antibiotic treatment. Ceftriaxone is used for the treatment... View Article