ABOUT COURSE
This course offers a unique perspective of Contrave (Naltrexone/Bupropion), a combination medication designed to aid in weight management by targeting both appetite and cravings.
The curriculum covers essential topics for prescribers including:
- Indications
- Dosage and Administration
- Mechanism of Action
- Pharmacokinetics
- Warnings
- Drug Interactions
- Contraindications
- Augmentation Strategies
- Recommended Lab Tests
- Therapeutic Levels
- Overdose Management
- Tapering/Withdrawal
- Use in Special Populations-
- Pregnancy,
- Lactation,
- Renal Impairment,
- Hepatic Impairment,
- Cardiac Impairment,
- Elderly,
- Children and Adolescents.
- Important pearls based on years of practice.
- This course aims to enhance the clinical capabilities of psychiatric nurse practitioners and other prescribers, providing the knowledge to prescribe and manage Contrave therapy effectively and safely.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Brand Names & Generic:
- Learn about brand names under which Contrave is marketed.
- Learn about different generic names under which Contrave is available in the market.
Indications:
- Learn the FDA-approved uses and potential off-label applications of Contrave.
- Know the dosages for all potential off-label uses.
Dosage and Administration:
- Understand different medication forms and their administration.
- Implement appropriate dosage and administration guidelines for Contrave in various clinical scenarios.
- Learn how to dose Contrave correctly and identify usual dosage ranges.
Pharmacological Effects:
- Explore the mechanisms of Contrave.
- Understand how Contrave works in the brain for weight management and other conditions.
- Discuss the impact of Contrave on neurotransmitter levels and brain chemistry.
Pharmacokinetics:
- Absorption: Understand how Contrave is absorbed in the body.
- Distribution: Learn about the distribution of Contrave in the body.
- Metabolism: Discuss the metabolism of Contrave.
- Elimination: Understand how Contrave is eliminated from the body.
- Half-life: Know the half-life of Contrave and its clinical significance.
Drug Interactions:
- Identify common drug interactions with Contrave and strategies for managing them.
- Understand the mechanisms through which these interactions occur.
- Know which medications should be avoided with Contrave due to drug interactions.
Common Side Effects:
- Learn about the most common side effects of Contrave.
- Understand potential life-threatening side effects and how to manage them.
- Educate patients on what to expect and how to manage side effects.
Contraindications:
- Learn the conditions under which Contrave should not be used.
- Understand the reasons why these conditions are contraindicated.
Best Augmenting Combos for Partial Response:
- Learn about the best augmenting combinations for patients with a partial response to Contrave.
- Discover effective strategies for augmenting Contrave therapy.
- Evaluate the efficacy and safety of common augmentation strategies.
Recommended Lab Tests:
- Learn about recommended lab tests for safe and effective monitoring.
- Identify necessary lab tests to monitor patients on Contrave.
- Interpret lab results to guide treatment adjustments.
Therapeutic Monitoring:
- Apply strategies for therapeutic monitoring to optimize treatment outcomes.
- Know about the therapeutic blood levels for Contrave.
Overdose:
- Understand the signs and symptoms of a Contrave overdose.
- Recognize early warning signs of overdose and effective management strategies.
Tapering/Withdrawal:
- Apply best practices for tapering and withdrawal of Contrave to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
- Follow the best protocols based on decades of clinical practice to safely taper Contrave.
- Educate patients on the process and expected symptoms of tapering.
Usage with Special Populations:
- Gain insights into the unique considerations for prescribing Contrave to special populations such as pregnancy, lactation, hepatic impairment, renal impairment, cardiac impairment, elderly, and children.
- Tailor Contrave dosage for special populations considering their unique needs.
- Understand the risks and benefits of Contrave use in these populations.
Important Pearls:
- Learn about essential clinical pearls to enhance practice and ensure patient safety.
- Understand the most important facts about Contrave based on decades of clinical practice.
- Apply practical tips and experiences from clinical practice to improve patient outcomes.
