{"title":"Practical guidance for stopping glucocorticoids.","authors":"Faran Khalili, Morton G Burt","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.037","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.037","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Glucocorticoids can be stopped abruptly, without tapering, in patients prescribed them for less than 3 to 4 weeks. Prolonged glucocorticoid use (more than 3 to 4 weeks) can cause hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, necessitating gradual stopping (tapering) to prevent the consequences of adrenal insufficiency. For some patients on prolonged glucocorticoids, the dosage can be tapered and stopped without testing serum cortisol concentrations. For some patients on prolonged glucocorticoids, morning serum cortisol testing can be used to assess HPA axis recovery and guide glucocorticoid cessation. Further testing of the HPA axis, with an adrenocorticotrophic hormone stimulation test, and referral to endocrinology services may be required in patients with repeated low cortisol concentrations despite a prolonged period at a physiological glucocorticoid dose.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 4","pages":"116-121"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12378006/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144978943","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}
Hazel Moore, Daniel Yeoh, Carly Hughes, Edward Raby, Indy Sandaradura
{"title":"Aminoglycosides: an update on indications, dosing and monitoring.","authors":"Hazel Moore, Daniel Yeoh, Carly Hughes, Edward Raby, Indy Sandaradura","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.038","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Aminoglycosides (gentamicin, tobramycin and amikacin) are highly effective parenteral drugs commonly used as initial empirical therapy of serious Gram-negative infections. They have rapid bactericidal activity and relatively low rates of resistance in Australia compared with other antibiotics used to manage Gram-negative infections. Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic was updated in March 2025 and provides new guidance on the role of aminoglycosides, optimised dosing, and drug selection. The guidelines now recommend that dosing in adults is based on lean body weight, and provide calculators to assist with dose calculations. Therapeutic drug monitoring is required when aminoglycoside therapy is expected to continue beyond 48 hours; monitoring the area under the aminoglycoside concentration-time curve is recommended in adults.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 4","pages":"133-138"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12377976/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144979835","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":"COX-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: what is their place in managing dental pain?","authors":"Geraldine Moses","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.036","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.036","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 4","pages":"145-146"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12378000/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144979798","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":"Update on long- and short-acting contraceptive methods.","authors":"Emma Mason, Kirsten Black","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.023","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Long-acting reversible contraceptive methods, including the contraceptive implant and intrauterine devices, are highly effective and cost-effective options for women who have no specific contraindications. Long-acting reversible contraceptives are more effective at reducing unintended pregnancy than short-acting contraceptives. Short-acting contraceptive methods consist of combined hormonal contraception (e.g. the combined oral contraceptive pill, vaginal ring), progestogen-only pills, and the progestogen-containing contraceptive injection. Choice of contraception is based on factors such as medical eligibility (i.e. precautions, contraindications), patient preference and reproductive life stage. Counselling patients on the benefits and risks of all contraceptive methods is important for informed decision-making. Regular contraceptive review can allow for patient education and monitoring of adverse effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 3","pages":"72-81"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12187473/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499431","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":"Psoriasis: an update on topical and systemic therapies.","authors":"Jonathan J Chan","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.026","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease with a genetic predisposition. Although manifesting predominantly as a hyperproliferative skin disorder, psoriasis is a systemic disease associated with a range of comorbidities including arthritis, cardiovascular disease and depression. Educating the patient that psoriasis is chronic and that there are possible comorbidities is paramount. Patients with a limited number of plaques and no systemic symptoms may be managed with intermittent use of topical therapies. Those with more extensive or debilitating disease may require phototherapy or systemic medicines such as methotrexate or one of the newer targeted therapies. Newer systemic therapies, including oral medicines and injectable biologics, can only be used following unsuccessful treatment with traditional therapies such as methotrexate and phototherapy. Biologic therapies for psoriasis offer the possibility of near-complete symptom resolution in people with psoriatic disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 3","pages":"87-92"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12187478/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499427","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":"Medicines used in the treatment of opioid dependence.","authors":"Hester Hk Wilson, Jillian Kanck","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.028","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.028","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Opioid dependence is a chronic condition that can lead to significant harm if left untreated. People who experience opioid dependence and the treatments themselves are highly stigmatised. Person-centred trauma-informed services are critical to therapeutic engagement and effectiveness. Buprenorphine and methadone are highly effective, evidence-based medicines for opioid dependence. In recent years, long-acting injectable buprenorphine has emerged as a safe and effective treatment option, offering flexible weekly or monthly dosing. The long-term treatment of opioid dependence can be undertaken in primary care settings. General practitioner and nurse practitioner prescribing, and community pharmacist dispensing, are essential for ongoing care. Australian jurisdictions have differing regulations that guide the prescribing of medicines for opioid dependence. Health professionals should be familiar with their local jurisdiction's guidelines as well as the national guidelines. Drug and alcohol telephone services are available in each jurisdiction and can provide advice to health professionals.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 3","pages":"98-105"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12187472/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499425","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":"Semaglutide for cardiovascular risk reduction in people who are overweight or have obesity without diabetes (new indication).","authors":"","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.024","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.024","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 3","pages":"107-108"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12187477/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499428","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}