Pharmacology of antiemetic drugs

Pharmacology of Antiemetic Drugs

Introduction Nausea and vomiting are protective reflexes designed to prevent the ingestion or continued digestion of harmful toxins. However, when severe, they can significantly deteriorate patient comfort, compromise treatment adherence, and lead to complications such as electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and undernutrition. Antiemetic drugs play a critical role across various clinical contexts—perioperative care, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, infectious gastroenteritis, … Read more

Pharmacology of Mucosal Protective Agents

landscape image on mucosal protective agents

Introduction Peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other erosive conditions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract rank among the most common and debilitating ailments worldwide. In managing these disorders, mucosal protective agents have emerged as a pivotal therapeutic class, working not by neutralizing gastric acid or suppressing its secretion, but by shielding the gastric and duodenal mucosa … Read more

Pharmacology of Antacids

landscape image on Antacids

Introduction Antacids represent one of the oldest and most commonly used groups of medications for gastrointestinal acidity-related disorders. By chemically neutralizing excessive gastric acid, antacids rapidly relieve symptoms such as heartburn, epigastric discomfort, and acid reflux. They are widely employed in both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) formulations, delivering rapid relief for millions of individuals with peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal … Read more

Pharmacology of H2 Receptor Antagonists

H2 Receptor Antagonists

Histamine H2 receptor antagonists are competitive blockers of gastric parietal-cell H2 receptors that suppress basal and stimulated acid secretion and are used for GERD, peptic ulcer disease, hypersecretory states, and selected prophylaxis indications, with famotidine preferred clinically because of potency and safety while ranitidine has been withdrawn for NDMA contamination concerns. The class reduces nocturnal … Read more

Antimicrobial Resistance and its mechanisms

Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the process by which microorganisms evolve to withstand the effects of drugs that were once effective against them. Understanding the mechanisms of resistance is vital for clinicians, microbiologists, and policy makers in managing infections and designing stewardship interventions. What Is Antimicrobial Resistance? AMR occurs when previously susceptible microbes (bacteria, fungi, viruses, … Read more

Antibiotic Stewardship: A Complete Overview for Healthcare Professionals

Antibiotic Stewardship

Antibiotic stewardship refers to coordinated interventions designed to improve and measure the appropriate use of antibiotics by promoting the selection of the optimal antibiotic regimen including dosing, duration, and route of administration. The primary goals are to optimize clinical outcomes, minimize toxicity and adverse events, limit the development of resistance, and reduce unnecessary costs. Why … Read more

Glaucoma, pathophysiology, treatment and other information

Glaucoma Illustration showing open-angle glaucoma eye anatomy in cartoon style

Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive optic neuropathy characterized by retinal ganglion cell loss and characteristic optic nerve/visual field damage in which lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) slows progression across open‑angle, angle‑closure, and secondary forms. The only proven disease‑modifying therapy is sustained IOP reduction via medications, laser trabeculoplasty, or surgery tailored to mechanism, severity, and risk, with … Read more

Drugs Used for Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

peptic ulcer disease - PUD

Overview Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) encompasses ulceration of the gastric or duodenal mucosa due to an imbalance between aggressive factors (gastric acid, pepsin, Helicobacter pylori, bile, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]) and mucosal defenses (mucus-bicarbonate barrier, prostaglandins, mucosal blood flow, epithelial restitution). Pharmacologic therapy aims to relieve symptoms, promote healing, prevent complications (bleeding, perforation, obstruction), … Read more

Pharmacology of Proton Pump Inhibitors

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Introduction Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have revolutionized the management of acid-related gastrointestinal (GI) disorders by rendering potent and long-lasting suppression of gastric acid secretion. Introduced in the late twentieth century, PPIs—exemplified by omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, esomeprazole, and dexlansoprazole—effectively mitigate gastric hyperacidity, enabling healing of peptic ulceration and alleviation of reflux symptoms (Katzung, 2020). Used extensively for indications ranging from peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastroesophageal reflux … Read more

Pharmacopoeias and Formularies

pharmacopoeias

Pharmacopoeias and formularies are two types of drug compendia commonly used in the healthcare sector. Government-published official compendia that have legal status are Pharmacopoeias. They contain information on officially approved drugs in a country, including their chemical structure, molecular weight, physical and chemical characteristics, solubility, identification and assay methods, purity standards, storage conditions, and dosage … Read more