ABOUT COURSE
This course explores the innovative approach of Brexanolone, specifically approved for postpartum depression, providing rapid relief through intravenous administration.
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 is tailored to enhance the clinical skills of psychiatric nurse practitioners and other prescribers, enabling them to effectively and safely prescribe and manage Brexanolone therapy.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Brand Names & Generic:
- Learn about brand names under which Brexanolone is marketed.
- Learn about different generic names under which Brexanolone is available in the market.
Indications:
- Learn the FDA-approved uses and potential off-label applications of Brexanolone.
- Know the dosages of all potential off-label uses.
Dosage and Administration:
- Understand different medication forms and their administration.
- Implement appropriate dosage and administration guidelines for Brexanolone in various clinical scenarios.
- Learn how to dose Brexanolone correctly and identify usual dosage ranges.
Pharmacological Effects:
- Explore the mechanisms of Brexanolone.
- Understand how Brexanolone works in the brain to treat depression and other conditions.
- Discuss the impact of Brexanolone on neurotransmitter levels and brain chemistry.
Pharmacokinetics:
- Absorption: Understand how Brexanolone is absorbed in the body.
- Distribution: Learn about the distribution of Brexanolone in the body.
- Metabolism: Discuss the metabolism of Brexanolone.
- Elimination: Understand how Brexanolone is eliminated from the body.
- Half-life: Know the half-life of Brexanolone and its clinical significance.
Drug Interactions:
- Identify common drug interactions with Brexanolone and strategies for managing them.
- Understand the mechanisms through which these interactions occur.
- Know which medications should be avoided with Brexanolone due to drug interactions.
Common Side Effects:
- Learn about the most common side effects of Brexanolone.
- 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 Brexanolone 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 partial response to Brexanolone.
- Discover effective strategies for augmenting Brexanolone 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 Brexanolone.
- 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 Brexanolone.
Overdose:
- Understand the signs and symptoms of Brexanolone overdose.
- Recognize early warning signs of overdose and effective management strategies.
Tapering/Withdrawal:
- Apply best practices for tapering and withdrawal of Brexanolone to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
- Follow the best protocols based on decades of clinical practice to safely taper Brexanolone.
- Educate patients on the process and expected symptoms of tapering.
Usage with Special Populations:
- Gain insights into the unique considerations for prescribing Brexanolone to special populations such as pregnancy, lactation, hepatic impairment, renal impairment, cardiac impairment, elderly, and children.
- Tailor Brexanolone dosage for special populations considering their unique needs.
- Understand the risks and benefits of Brexanolone use in these populations.
Important Pearls:
- Learn about essential clinical pearls to enhance practice and ensure patient safety.
- Understand the most important facts about Brexanolone based on decades of clinical practice.
- Apply practical tips and experiences from clinical practice to improve patient outcomes.
