U.S. Pharmacist Weekly News Update
February 13, 2019

NOACs Now Recommended Over Warfarin to Prevent AFib-
Related Stroke

Pharmacists might find themselves filling a lot more prescriptions for non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) now that major cardiovascular associations are recommending NOACs over warfarin for reducing the risk of stroke associated with atrial fibrillation (AFib). Find out why the preferences were changed in a focused update to 2014 guidelines.

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Ambulatory Care Visits Resulting in Benzodiazepine Scripts
Nearly Double

Nearly twice as many ambulatory care visits resulted in a prescription for benzodiazepines at the end of a 12-year period compared with the beginning of that time span. The study, conducted from 2003 to 2015, found an especially significant increase in primary care physician prescribing. Here are the details.

SSRIs Don’t Appear to Affect Success of Fertility Treatment
in Women

Fertility treatment can be a difficult ordeal, and as many as one in 10 women undergoing IVF take depression drugs. Understandably, they often have questions about what effect the medication might be having on their chances of getting pregnant. A new study provides information that pharmacists can share with those seeking to become parents. Here are the findings.

No Benefit Found for Fish Oil Supplement in Youths With Poor Asthma Control
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has been proposed as a promising strategy to improve asthma control. A new study found, however, that fish oil does not appear to be helpful for overweight/obese adolescents and young adults struggling with asthma control. Find out how much fish oil the participants used and why researchers suggest a large dosage still needs to be tested.

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