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