{"title":"Sun protection: a practical guide for health professionals.","authors":"Samuel Morriss, Laura Scardamaglia","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.046","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.046","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cumulative exposure to ultraviolet radiation drives skin cancer and photo-ageing across all skin types, including people with darker skin. Visible light radiation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of pigmentary conditions. Intense childhood exposure to ultraviolet radiation is a critical risk factor for development of melanoma later in life. Effective sun protection requires a daily, multifaceted approach when the ultraviolet index is 3 or higher. This includes the correct application of broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 50+ in conjunction with protective clothing, a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and seeking shade. Some medicines may be photosensitising and patients using these medicines should be advised to adopt stricter sun protection measures. There are many myths about sunscreens that may be barriers to sunscreen use, including concerns about endocrine disruption and nanoparticle toxicity. When counselling patients on sun protection, it is important to offer practical, evidence-based advice that extends beyond sunscreen use alone. The goal is to empower patients to incorporate sun safety into their daily routines.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 5","pages":"173-178"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12566446/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145403084","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":"Preparation for blood tests: what can go wrong before the sample reaches the lab.","authors":"Linn Lee, Wayne Rankin","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.034","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.034","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Many errors can occur in the pre-analytical phase of laboratory testing, such as during patient preparation, sample collection, handling, storage and transport. Minimisation of errors during this phase is key to optimising the usefulness of laboratory tests and may reduce the need for repeat sampling. Various patient factors can affect laboratory test results, including posture, fasting status, circadian variation, medications and other interfering agents. Clinicians should be aware of these factors and advise patients on the necessary preparation before testing. Patient identification, collection timing, haemolysis, contamination and sample volume are important considerations when collecting and handling a sample. Individuals should consult their local laboratory for specific test instructions or protocols, as these can vary.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 4","pages":"122-127"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12377977/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144978981","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":"Tools to support medication management in people with multimorbidity and polypharmacy.","authors":"","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.029","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.029","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 4","pages":"147"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12378004/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144979309","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":"Choosing a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for pain.","authors":"Stephanie Hopkins, Victor Yang, David Fl Liew","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.032","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are useful for many conditions, frequently in preference to other therapies such as opioids. They play an important role in osteoarthritis, headache disorders, acute musculoskeletal injury, dysmenorrhoea and dental pain. In axial spondyloarthritis, they can modify disease and represent first-line therapy. Most NSAIDs have comparable efficacy for most conditions, despite their different pharmacodynamic effects. The pharmacokinetic profile of different NSAIDs might confer varying risks and advantages for acute or chronic conditions that influence their selection. NSAIDs have well-recognised adverse effects, including cardiovascular, renal and gastrointestinal risks. While these risks vary between NSAIDs, all of them confer some increased risk. Proton pump inhibitors reduce upper gastrointestinal complications but not lower gastrointestinal ones. Other important precautions relate to pregnancy and hypersensitivity reactions.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 4","pages":"139-144"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12378001/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144979775","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":"Potentially inappropriate medicines for older people: consensus-based lists.","authors":"Alex Choo","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.030","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.030","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Older people, especially with multimorbidity and polypharmacy, are at higher risk of adverse medication outcomes compared with younger adults. To guide safer prescribing for older people, several lists of 'potentially inappropriate medicines' (PIMs lists) have been developed. Prominent PIMs lists include the Beers Criteria (USA) and the Screening Tool of Older People's Prescriptions (STOPP) (Europe). A new Australian PIMs list was published in 2024. PIMs are medicines for which there is evidence or consensus expert opinion that the potential risks usually outweigh the clinical benefits in a specific patient cohort. The Australian PIMs list outlines medicines that should be avoided in all older people, and medicines that should be avoided in certain clinical contexts. It also provides guidance on potentially safer alternatives to the listed medicines. Importantly, medicines included in PIMs lists are not always inappropriate. There may be clinical scenarios where a PIM is appropriate for an individual patient (hence the term <i>potentially inappropriate</i>). Prescribing decisions should always be individualised, considering the patient's clinical status and goals of care.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 4","pages":"128-132"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12377978/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144979859","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}