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