Drug therapies patient information about

Encourages patient to inform oilier health care providers and medical personnel about drug therapy regimen. 

Patients receiving bronchodilators or antiasthma drugs otten need to monitor their lung function at home with a peak flow meter. Doing so provides the patient and the physidan with valuable information about the status of the patient s condition and the effectiveness of therapy. Otten, trends in the readings can detect changes in the patient s airway and airflow even before any signs and symptoms are experienced. This allows possible intervention before a major problem arises. 

Recent data suggest that COX-2 inhibitors, including rofe-coxib, valdecoxib, and celecoxib, may increase the risk for MI and stroke.47 There is also some evidence that the non-selective NSAIDs may increase the risk for cardiovascular events.47,48 Rofecoxib was withdrawn from the market in late 2004 because of safety concerns. The FDA requested the withdrawal of valdecoxib from the market in 2005. The FDA also asked the manufacturers of celecoxib and non-selective NSAIDs (prescription and over-the-counter) to include information about the potential adverse cardiovascular effects of these drugs in their product labeling. The cardiovascular risk with COX-2 inhibitors and NSAIDs may be greatest in patients with a history of, or with risk factors for, cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association recommends that the use of COX-2 inhibitors be limited to low-dose, short-term therapy in patients for whom there is no appropriate alternative.48 Patients with cardiovascular disease should consult a clinician before using over-the-counter NSAIDs. 

Pharmacists also perform an important role as educators of patients (Fleischer, 1999). This is a safety role, because many drugs are safe if used as intended but unsafe if used differently from the way they are intended. Pharmacists routinely inform patients about the need to ingest medications at certain times of the day to ensure steady blood levels. They caution about drowsiness or other manageable side effects. Psycho-social issues are also important in patient education by pharmacists, because every patient develops a unique medication use behavior, and sometimes these behaviors can interfere with the effectiveness of drug therapy (Bloom, 1996). 

Various approaches to self-regulation have heen taken hy different physicians organizations. However, a review of these approaches reveals general themes. In most cases, the primary justification for having a direct relationship between the pharmaceutical industry and individual physicians seems to he based on the premise that an advancement of patient healthcare will occur through increased education and research. This assumes that the information provided to the physician is impartial and also disregards the capacity of physicians to keep themselves up to date about advances in drug therapy by way of medical and other academic journals. 

Provide comprehensive and ongoing education to patients and/or family members about common drug therapy problems, therapeutic goals, and the importance of becoming informed consumers of their own health care. 

The decision to begin antiretroviral therapy is based on the CD4 cell count, the plasma viral load and the intensity of the patient s clinical symptoms. Therapy is switched to alternative combinations if these variables deteriorate. Available information about drugs and combinations is accumulating monthly and the choice of agents is best made after reference to contemporary, expert advice. 

Patient education about the role of lithium in the prophylaxis of bipolar affective disorder and discussion of the pros and cons of taking the drug are particularly important to encourage compliance with therapy treatment cards, information leaflets and where appropriate, video material are used. 

Educate the patient Patients often know little about their illness, let alone the benefits and problems that could result from drug therapy. Individuals who understand this information are more likely to comply with instructions for administering medications and are more attentive to the development of symptoms that could be early indicators of drug-related problems. Patients should be encouraged to ask questions... 

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