Register to use all the features of this website, including selecting clinical areas of interest and “favourite” articles, taking part in quizzes and much more.
Hint: If you are a General Practitioner your username may be your MCNZ#
About us | FAQ | Contact us | Terms of use
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.
Register or Log in to take part in quizzes.
Login to my bpac.
Don't have an account? Register to use all the features of this website, including selecting clinical areas of interest, taking part in quizzes and much more.
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that regulates circadian rhythm and sleep. Given its important biological functions,... View Article
Tinnitus is heterogenous in both its presentation and its causes. It can be frustrating for patients and clinicians as there is... View Article
Coeliac disease affects approximately 1 in 100 adults. However, it is often unrecognised as symptoms can be vague and non-specific... View Article
The Medicinal Cannabis Scheme provides pathways for registered medical practitioners to prescribe quality medicinal cannabis products... View Article
Concussion is a form of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) resulting from an external force to the head or body that transiently... View Article
Recent regulatory changes will make medicinal cannabis much more accessible to patients. As medicinal cannabis is not a focus... View Article
Physical symptoms commonly experienced by people with advanced dementia include pain, difficulties with hydration and nutrition,... View Article
Advanced dementia is a terminal condition for which palliative care is appropriate, however, knowing when to initiate this process... View Article
Most people with dementia develop behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPSD) at some point during their journey, which can... View Article
Dementia (mate wareware - see below) is a growing healthcare challenge. There are an estimated 70,000 people with dementia in... View Article
Declining cognitive function can be a difficult topic to raise with patients and their families. It is important to reassure older... View Article
Changes in funded brands of antiepileptic medicines can lead to concern from patients or caregivers that the medicine they are... View Article
Antiepileptic medicines reduce the risk of seizures in people with epilepsy and are sometimes used as part of the management of... View Article
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs), diuretics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory... View Article
From 1 May, 2018, pregabalin will be available to prescribe, fully subsidised. From 1 June, 2018, prescribing restrictions will... View Article
There are a multitude of causes of acute pain, however, the approach to management will often be similar; assessment guides prescribing... View Article
The primary aim of acute pain management is to provide treatment that reduces the patient’s pain, with minimal adverse effects,... View Article
Recent amendments have been made to regulations concerning the prescription of some medicinal cannabis products. For primary care,... View Article
A systematic approach is recommended when assessing patients with headache to rule out serious underlying conditions and to ensure... View Article
bpacnz recognises that the assessment and management of insomnia in general practice can be difficult, especially in relation... View Article
People with epilepsy require good adherence to anti-epileptic medicines for optimal seizure control. However, maintaining good... View Article
Neuropathic pain results from a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system. There are a range of causes of neuropathic... View Article
View Article
Modified-release melatonin is an unsubsidised medicine that is approved for, and moderately effective at, improving sleep quality... View Article
This article has been archived. If you would like access to the original article please contact: editor@bpac.org.nz View Article
Paracetamol or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) can be used first-line for pain relief in acute migraine. A triptan... View Article
The treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease usually involves a multidisciplinary approach to care. The role of the general... View Article
Concerns have been raised, both in New Zealand and internationally, about the increasing off-label use of antipsychotics, and... View Article
Contributed by Dr Michael Beasley and Dr Wayne Temple, National Poisons Centre View Article
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) resulting in neurological deficits, which... View Article
IN MARCH, 2012 A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE in the rate of childhood narcolepsy associated with the influenza vaccine Pandemrix (GlaxoSmithKline)... View Article
Restless legs syndrome is a common neurological disorder that can significantly affect a patient's quality of life. Lifestyle... View Article
The term "parasomnia" describes a group of sleep disorders associated with unnatural movements, behaviours, emotions, perceptions... View Article
Tinnitus is the perception of sound within the ear or head, without a corresponding external stimulus for that sound. It is a... View Article
Vertigo is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Although usually benign, vertigo can be a symptom of a significant underlying problem.... View Article
The use of atypical antipsychotics such as quetiapine and olanzapine is increasing. In many cases, these medicines are used for... View Article
Raynaud's phenomenon is a circulatory disorder, characterised by episodic attacks where arteries in the fingers and toes spasm,... View Article
Misuse of prescription opioids is increasing worldwide and many doctors are becoming reluctant to prescribe these medicines for... View Article
Although there are many potential sources of exposure to mercury and its compounds, most people can be reassured that they are... View Article
From November 1, 2010 donepezil will be funded without Special Authority, on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. Donepezil and other... View Article
Donepezil to be funded on pharmaceutical schedule | Dextropropoxyphene - finding alternatives View Article
Humalog, Tramadol and Gabapentin View Article
The goal of successful pharmacological treatment in epilepsy is the complete control of seizures, however for some people this... View Article
Differentiating normal age-related memory loss from early onset dementia Normal age-related memory loss affects everybody. Assessing... View Article
Instructions and illustrations for performing a quick examination on a patient presenting with acute low back pain and neurological... View Article
Medication-overuse headache is a complex disorder best described as an interaction between a therapeutic agent used excessively... View Article
The treatment of neuropathic pain involves a different step-wise approach. View Article
Pain memory occurs when the nervous system has become up-regulated from a previous trauma or severe pain. This is a particularly... View Article
There is a more recent article on managing insomnia. See: I dream of sleep: managing insomnia” https://bpac.org.nz/2017/insomnia-1.aspx Insomnia... View Article
Chronic pain is common in elderly people, however it is often unrecognised, treated sub-optimally or not treated at all. Regular... View Article
• Calcium Supplementation and the risk of myocardial infarction • Use of eGFR for drug dose adjustment• Compulsive gambling... View Article
Do timolol eye drops cause cold extremeties and tiredness?Dave discusses the systemic absorption of drugs from eye drops and ways... View Article
Advice on diagnosis and management of primary headaches View Article
Covers diagnosis and management of Parkinson's disease 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
This article covers the role and safety concerns of antipsychotics in the treatment of behavioural and psychological symptoms... View Article