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