{"title":"Male and female pattern hair loss.","authors":"Laxmi Iyengar, Jane Li","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.020","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Androgenetic alopecia, commonly referred to as male or female pattern hair loss, is a prevalent condition encountered in clinical practice. It is important to identify potential underlying causes and differentiate it from other forms of hair loss, which may require referral to a dermatologist for management. Pharmacological treatments for female pattern hair loss include minoxidil (topical and oral) and antiandrogens such as spironolactone. For male pattern hair loss, minoxidil and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (e.g. finasteride, dutasteride) can be used. Combination therapy is commonly employed, with clinical improvement typically requiring a minimum of 6 months. Supplements and other treatments have varying levels of evidence, and counselling is important to help patients make informed decisions about their management.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 3","pages":"93-97"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12187474/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499424","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":"Talazoparib for prostate cancer and breast cancer.","authors":"","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.027","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.027","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 3","pages":"111-113"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12187471/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499430","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":"Using pharmacogenomics to personalise drug therapy: which drugs, when and how.","authors":"Sophie L Stocker, Thomas M Polasek","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.021","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pharmacogenomic testing provides information on whether a patient possesses gene variants that can influence drug exposure or response. It can be used as part of clinical decision-making to personalise drug therapy. Pharmacogenomic testing can help identify patients at higher risk of serious adverse drug reactions or therapeutic failure, and sometimes it can explain unexpected adverse effects or poor efficacy in patients already on drug therapy. As drug responses are influenced by many factors, pharmacogenomic test results must always be interpreted in the clinical context of the patient. At the time of writing, tests for thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) (azathioprine, mercaptopurine, thioguanine) and human leucocyte antigen B*57:01 (abacavir) are Medicare-rebated. Pharmacogenomic testing is also recommended for several other drugs, such as allopurinol and clopidogrel, but these do not currently attract a Medicare rebate.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 3","pages":"82-86"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12187479/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499432","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":"Calcitonin gene-related peptide-targeted therapies for migraine.","authors":"Stephanie Barnes, Lucie Aldous, Bronwyn Jenkins","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18773/austprescr.2025.017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-targeted therapies are the first medications developed specifically for migraine prevention. They block the actions of CGRP, a neuropeptide with a key role in migraine pathophysiology. There are 2 categories of drugs: monoclonal antibodies directed against either the CGRP ligand or receptor, and small-molecule CGRP receptor antagonists. CGRP monoclonal antibodies are available as self-administered subcutaneous injections or as an intravenous infusion, and are administered monthly or quarterly. Clinical trial and real-world data over the past 10 years support their effectiveness and safety in patients with episodic and chronic migraines, and research into long-term safety is ongoing. Patients must fulfil certain criteria, including prior treatment with nonspecific oral preventive medications, to receive subsidised treatment with these drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia. Small-molecule CGRP receptor antagonists (known as gepants) are orally administered drugs that can be used for migraine prevention or acute treatment. There are no gepants listed on the PBS at the time of writing. Their role in the prevention and acute treatment of migraine is continuing to evolve.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 2","pages":"40-46"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12055492/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144045810","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}
Amy Legg, Felicia Devchand, Amanda Gwee, Indy Sandaradura, Tony Lai
{"title":"Safe and effective use of vancomycin.","authors":"Amy Legg, Felicia Devchand, Amanda Gwee, Indy Sandaradura, Tony Lai","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.013","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2025.013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Vancomycin is an important antimicrobial for prophylactic, empirical and directed therapy of Gram-positive organisms. Therapeutic drug monitoring is recommended for all patients expected to receive vancomycin for more than 48 hours to optimise drug exposure. Monitoring the area under the concentration-time curve over a 24-hour period (AUC<sub>24</sub>) for vancomycin is preferred over monitoring trough plasma concentrations. An AUC<sub>24</sub> of 400 to 600 mg.hr/L is recommended for infections other than central nervous system infections. Vancomycin may cause nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, cutaneous reactions, hypersensitivity and haematological toxicity. Reducing the incidence of vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity involves recognising and modifying risk factors where possible.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"48 2","pages":"54-59"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12055491/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143997086","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}