{"title":"Fifty years of <i>Australian Prescriber</i> <b>-</b> continuing a proud tradition of trusted, independent information.","authors":"Michael Kidd","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.056","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.056","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 6","pages":"192-193"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12711350/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145783717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Calcifediol high-strength formulation for vitamin D deficiency.","authors":"","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.050","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.050","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 6","pages":"212-213"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12711351/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145783686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Hypertension - a major modifiable and undertreated risk factor.","authors":"Charlotte Hespe, Nigel Stocks, Mark Nelson","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.049","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.049","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 6","pages":"194-196"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12711354/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145783694","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Injectable drugs for weight management.","authors":"Natasha Yates, Terri-Lynne South","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.052","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.052","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Obesity management is complex; medications must be used in conjunction with behavioural changes and monitoring by health professionals. Injectable drugs for weight management include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (e.g. liraglutide, semaglutide) and dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g. tirzepatide). These drugs contribute to weight loss by mimicking the incretin hormones GLP-1 and GIP to reduce appetite, change food enjoyment, slow stomach emptying and stimulate insulin release. Regaining weight is common when these drugs are stopped, so they usually need to be continued long term. Relatively minor gastrointestinal issues are common. There is also a small but real risk of more serious adverse effects, including gallstones and pancreatitis. It is important to monitor mental health, as these drugs can change a patient's relationship with food, and they may be misused by those without obesity.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 6","pages":"197-202"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12711348/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145783710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Testing for human immunodeficiency virus.","authors":"Louise Owen, Ian Woolley","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.048","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.048","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is recommended for individuals with behavioural or epidemiological risk factors, and those who present with clinical indicator conditions. Routine testing is recommended in pregnancy and as part of symptomatic and asymptomatic sexually transmissible infection check-ups. In Australia, laboratories primarily use combined HIV antibody and antigen tests for diagnostic testing. A reactive test is followed by a laboratory confirmatory test. Clinicians should consider whether the person is within the testing window period when interpreting results. On receipt of a confirmed HIV-positive result, healthcare providers must discuss the result and contact tracing with the patient, and ideally refer them to specialised services, including an HIV care provider.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 6","pages":"203-207"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12711353/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145783692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Pharmacological management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents.","authors":"Daryl Efron, Nadia Coscini","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.043","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.043","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by developmentally inappropriate levels of hyperactivity, impulsivity and/or inattention, with substantial impact on functioning. Stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine) are the main pharmacological treatment for children and adolescents with ADHD and are highly effective at reducing core ADHD symptoms. Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine, clonidine and guanfacine can also be useful in some patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 5","pages":"156-160"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12566444/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145403110","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Oral anticoagulation for adults with atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism.","authors":"Paul Kl Chin, Matthew P Doogue","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.047","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.047","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Most patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) or acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) can be treated with a direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC); currently available DOACs are apixaban, rivaroxaban and dabigatran. Warfarin is the first-line oral anticoagulant for valvular AF in patients with mechanical heart valves or rheumatic mitral stenosis. Apixaban and rivaroxaban are first-line oral anticoagulants for cancer-associated VTE, and for AF or VTE in patients with body mass index over 35 kg/m<sup>2</sup> or actual body weight over 120 kg. All DOACs require dose adjustment in people with moderate kidney impairment. Routine laboratory measurement of drug concentrations or relevant coagulation function assays is not required for safe and effective use of DOACs; however, there are situations when it may be beneficial, including emergency scenarios requiring normal haemostasis and where excessive or inadequate anticoagulation is suspected.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 5","pages":"161-166"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12566413/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145403120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Aminoglycoside dosing and kidney function: which equation to use?","authors":"","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.044","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.044","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 5","pages":"181"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12566437/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145402952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}