ABOUT COURSE
This Course delves into Valbenazine, a VMAT-2 inhibitor used for treatment of Tardive dyskinesia.
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 enrich the clinical capabilities of psychiatric nurse practitioners and other prescribers, providing the knowledge to prescribe and manage Valbenazine therapy effectively and safely.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Brand Names & Generic:
- Learn about brand names under which Valbenazine is marketed.
- Learn about different generic names under which Valbenazine is available in the market.
Indications:
- Learn the FDA-approved uses and potential off-label applications of Valbenazine.
- 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 Valbenazine in various clinical scenarios.
- Learn how to dose Valbenazine correctly and identify usual dosage ranges.
Pharmacological Effects:
- Explore the mechanisms of Valbenazine.
- Understand how Valbenazine works in the brain to reduce Tardive dyskinesia.
- Discuss the impact of Valbenazine on neurotransmitter levels and brain chemistry.
Pharmacokinetics:
- Absorption: Understand how Valbenazine is absorbed in the body.
- Distribution: Learn about the distribution of Valbenazine in the body.
- Metabolism: Discuss the metabolism of Valbenazine.
- Elimination: Understand how Valbenazine is eliminated from the body.
- Half-life: Know the half-life of Valbenazine and its clinical significance.
Drug Interactions:
- Identify common drug interactions with Valbenazine and strategies for managing them.
- Understand the mechanisms through which these interactions occur.
- Know which medications should be avoided with Valbenazine due to drug interactions.
Common Side Effects:
- Learn about the most common side effects of Valbenazine.
- 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 Valbenazine 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 Valbenazine.
- Discover effective strategies for augmenting Valbenazine 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 Valbenazine.
- 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 Valbenazine.
Overdose:
- Understand the signs and symptoms of Valbenazine overdose.
- Recognize early warning signs of overdose and effective management strategies.
Tapering/Withdrawal:
- Apply best practices for tapering and withdrawal of Valbenazine to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
- Follow the best protocols based on decades of clinical practice to safely taper Valbenazine.
- Educate patients on the process and expected symptoms of tapering.
Usage with Special Populations:
- Gain insights into the unique considerations for prescribing Valbenazine to special populations such as pregnancy, lactation, hepatic impairment, renal impairment, cardiac impairment, elderly, and children.
- Tailor Valbenazine dosage for special populations considering their unique needs.
- Understand the risks and benefits of Valbenazine use in these populations.
Important Pearls:
- Learn about essential clinical pearls to enhance practice and ensure patient safety.
- Understand the most important facts about Valbenazine based on decades of clinical practice.
- Apply practical tips and experiences from clinical practice to improve patient outcomes.
