Do you know how a baby develops in early pregnancy and what advice you might give a pregnant woman? The first in a series of three articles describes development and physiological changes in the first stage of pregnancy and also reviews what the pharmacist might need to check.
Tamsulosin has recently been reclassified from POM to P for the treatment of Benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms in men aged 45 to 75 years. This article, which can contribute to your CPD, explains the current management of this condition and the potential role of the new non-prescription medicine.
The final article in this month's respiratory health series looks at your role in supporting patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and outlines the goals of disease management.
February's Update articles focus on respiratory disease. The series starts with a guide to the ingredients in OTC medicines used in the treatment of minor coughs
Asha Fowells offers best practice guidelines on which hypnotics are best for insomnia and for how long they should be taken. This module includes a case study.
Two case studies highlight the issues to consider when reviewing medication for a stroke patient who has osteoporosis and another patient who has thyroid problems, anxiety and itchy skin. How do you advise them?
This article explores the concept of drug addiction, explains what to do if confronted by a suspicious request for an OTC medicine and provides information on commonly misused drugs.
Which ADRs could lead to respiratory or cardiovascular symptoms? This Update article flags up what to look out for and how to manage possible side effects.
The second of two articles on breast cancer looks at treatments to manage the disease, including surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy and biological agents.
With women facing a one in nine lifetime risk for this disease, this Update article examines the risk factors, available screening techniques and diagnosis.
In the first of a series of two two articles on pharmacokinetics, Dr Russell Greene considers the factors that affect the absorption and distribution of drugs.
It is estimated that up to three per cent of the population suffers from psoriasis. This article describes the different types of the chronic skin disease and how they are treated.
Update’s Heart Health Month concludes with an overview of treatments that might be prescribed to a patient after an NHS Health Check has identified high cholesterol levels.
After looking at lifestyle factors behind CVD and vascular risk assessments, this article considers the drugs that might be prescribed after an NHS Health Check.
Our four-part guide to heart disease continues with risk assessment and the NHS Health Check screening programme. This article looks at what is to be tested and what advice you should provide.
C+D's Heart Health Month kicks off with a look at the factors that can lead to cardiovascular disease to help you explain to patients the damage caused by an unhealthy lifestyle.
With all the talk of obesity it's easy to forget the other problems people have with food. Asha Fowells describes the three offical categories of eating disorders.
The first of a two-part guide, which provides an overview of this common genetic disorder, the prognosis for a child with CF and some of the likely health problems.
This module consists of two case studies. Case 1: How do you treat a patient with OA and worsening asthma? Case 2: How do you treat a patient with RA suffering weight loss?
Diagnoses rarely indicate only one possible treatment. Dr Russell Greene MRPharmS explains the factors to consider when making prescribing decisions, from drug issues to patient response.
Food intolerance and allergy are often difficult to understand, so what advice can the pharmacist give - and who should be signposted to a GP or dietician?
The majority of patients with gallstones remain asymptomatic but for some it can be very painful. This update article covers symptoms and diagnosis as well as treatment and advice.
Symptoms affecting the GI tract are commonly presented to community pharmacists but how can you determine whether it is an ADR, and what treatment can you offer to help?
Alan Nathan looks at hormonal contraceptive issues pharmacists need to consider, particularly if the pill becomes universally available off prescription.
In the first of two articles on the immune system, we look at protection against pathogens such as viruses and bacteria, and how the immune system can go wrong and cause disease.
Learn about the risk factors, monitoring and treatments for osteoporosis to help your patients make the most of the drugs used to maintain bone strength.
New treatments can bring advantages in diabetes management compared with established blood glucose lowering drugs, but there are also side effects and complications to consider.
Christmas can be a bad time for gout sufferers. This article covers the symptoms and causes, explains who is at risk and also looks at the tests, treatments and lifestyle changes.
Professional standards are constantly being raised and changed. In the third in a series on professionalism, Joy Wingfield shows that much more is now expected of pharmacists.
As the festive season approaches, we look at the long term effects of drinking and different types of alcohol abuse. Read the article or download the podcast.
This article covers the drugs available for treatment, the types of seizures they can treat and side effects, as well as advice on the pharmacist's role in epilepsy management.
Asha Fowells outlines how to distinguish between and treat six common childhood infections: measles, chickenpox, rubella, mumps, whooping cough and meningitis
From moral issues to religious objections, this article covers everything you need to know about when you can and can't supply emergency hormonal contraception.
Oral diclofenac and naproxen are now available OTC from pharmacies, but do you know how OTC NSAIDs compare against each other in terms of effectiveness?
Survival rates are excellent after transplants, but immunosuppression is not without risk. Caroline Ashley examines issues surrounding doses, side effects and interactions.
Low mood, confusion and dry skin can all be symptoms of old age, but they can also indicate hypothyroidism. Mary Allen highlights the problems of diagnosis and shows how an MUR can help.
This article covers the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of three pituitary conditions – growth hormone (GH) deficiency, acromegaly and diabetes insipidus.
In the final article in this series on psychiatric medicines, Stuart Gill-Banham explains at what stage anxiety is considered a disease and the methods used to treat it.
The fourth part in our series on mental health looks at the four most common types of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and the drugs used in its management.
With summer on the way, C+D looks at OTC treatments for bites and stings from common insects and jellyfish, as well as possible future methods of drug delivery through the skin.
The first in a series of articles on recognising symptoms of depression and outlining how the condition is managed with both drug and non-drug treatment.
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