A majority of patients were initiated on the appropriate intensity of statin therapy according to the ACC/AHA cholesterol guideline. Of the small number of patients who had follow-up visits, few achieved a therapeutic response based on their prescribed statin therapy.

With the rise of the opioid epidemic in the United States and increased mortality as a result of opioid overdoses, there have been many national and statewide initiatives to combat this health crisis. Many states have expanded accessibility to naloxone, an opioid-reversal agent. Naloxone is safe, cost-effective, and nonaddictive. In addition, simple administration allows naloxone to be used by patients, family members, caregivers, and bystanders in the event of an opioid overdose. While a great emphasis has been placed on the prescribing practices of health care providers as it pertains to opioid therapy for chronic pain, a new focus has been placed on coprescribing naloxone with opioids for high-risk patients. Naloxone standing orders have allowed health care providers, including pharmacists, to prescribe, dispense, and/ or administer the medication in an attempt to save lives. In addition, pharmacists play a role in counseling and educating patients, family members, caregivers, and bystanders on the safe administration of naloxone in the event of an emergency.

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Diabetes is a chronic disease that leads to multiple microvascular and macrovascular complications. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States with increased prevalence worldwide. There are multiple antihyperglycemic medication classes available on the market with advantages and disadvantages. Canagliflozin, a novel agent that lowers plasma glucose by decreasing glucose reabsorption at the proximal tubules of nephrons, inhibits the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2. Data suggest a decrease in hemoglobin A1C by about 1% in both fasting and postprandial plasma glucose levels, when canagliflozin was studied as monotherapy or with various combinations of metformin, pioglitazone, sulfonylurea, and insulin. Interestingly, canagliflozin use in geriatric patients and in those with renal impairment showed decreased efficacy and an increased risk of adverse reactions. These include, but are not limited to, hypotension, renal impairment, hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia, genital mycotic infections, hypersensitivity reactions, and increases in low-density lipoproteins. Hypoglycemia is a rare occurrence when canagliflozin is used alone but can occur more frequently when used in combination with sulfonylurea or insulin. This article reviews the pharmacology of canagliflozin, examines available clinical trials for efficacy and safety, and describes its role in diabetes management.

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