Updated Gonorrhea Treatment Recommendations from CDC

Today’s pearl summarizes the recent updates from the CDC’s Treatment Guidelines for Gonococcal Infection.

Which antibiotics and what doses should be used? How do we reach effective concentrations in all patients?
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Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim Drug Interactions Important for EM Clinicians

Today’s pearl highlights two interactions that are important for Emergency Medicine clinicians to know.

What are the risks? How common are they?
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Antibiotic Effects on Oral Contraceptives

Today’s pearl addresses a misconception regarding a drug interaction between oral contraceptives and antibiotics.

Are back-up methods of contraception required? Does this apply to all antibiotics?
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Magnesium for Atrial Fibrillation Rate Control in the ED

Today’s pearl is a continuation of Pearl 42: Medication Pearls for Atrial Fibrillation Management in the ED and reviews the role of magnesium for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Does magnesium reduce HR? How much and how fast to administer?
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Medication Pearls for Atrial Fibrillation Management in the ED

Today’s pearl highlights 5 main points related to the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Should you give a beta blocker or a calcium channel blocker? What dose should you use?
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QTc Prolongation and Torsades de Pointes with Droperidol in the Emergency Department

How common is QTc prolongation or Torsades de Pointes (TdP) in ED patients getting droperidol?

Actually quite rare!

In 30,000 patients, TdP occurred once (the patient had multiple risk factors and TdP didn’t reoccur when re-challenged).

Prior data covered in 2015 @aaeminfo position statement.

Use of IV Iodinated Contrast Media in Patients with Preexisting Renal Disease

Today’s pearl reviews some of the literature and recommendations regarding the use of iodinated contrast in patients with kidney disease

Will it cause an acute-on-chronic injury? Is it safe?
Continue reading “Use of IV Iodinated Contrast Media in Patients with Preexisting Renal Disease”