Opioid induced hypogonadism has been reported to occur in patients receiving long term opioid therapy. The reported prevalence of opioid induced hypogonadism ranges from 21-86%. The risk may be higher in men; in those receiving a larger dose of opioids (dose related); and can occur whether the opioids are administered orally, transdermal, intravenously or intrathecally.
The signs and symptoms of hypogonadism include flushing, sweating, decreased libido, depression and anxiety, low energy levels, loss of muscle mass and strength, infertility, and osteoporosis and fractures in both men and women; decreased erectile dysfunction in men; and abnormal menses in women.
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The 2009 RGH E-Bulletins are archived here.
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A joint initiative of the Patient Services Section and the Drug and Therapeutics Information Service of the Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia. The RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin is distributed in electronic format on a weekly basis, and aims to present concise, factual information on issues of current interest in therapeutics, drug safety and cost-effective use of medications.
Editor: Assoc. Prof. Chris Alderman, University of South Australia – Director of Pharmacy, RGH © Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia 5041.
Tagged as:
Hypogonadism,
libido,
Opiods,
osteoporosis,
RGH E-bulletin
Vitamin D3 deficiency is associated with muscle pain and weakness, fatigue, reduced bone mineral density and an increased risk of falls and fractures. Vitamin D3 levels decline with advancing age, presumably due to reduced sun exposure and cutaneous synthesis, and impaired renal function.
The recommended daily intake to prevent deficiency in Vitamin D3 replete patients with minimal sunlight exposure is 400 IU for those aged 51-70 years and 600 IU for those >70 years. Patients in residential care may require higher intakes.
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The 2009 RGH E-Bulletins are archived here.
If you like this post and what else you see on the blog please subscribe by RSS feed (the orange button) or by email. Visit my subscription page.
A joint initiative of the Patient Services Section and the Drug and Therapeutics Information Service of the Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia. The RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin is distributed in electronic format on a weekly basis, and aims to present concise, factual information on issues of current interest in therapeutics, drug safety and cost-effective use of medications.
Editor: Assoc. Prof. Chris Alderman, University of South Australia – Director of Pharmacy, RGH © Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia 5041.
Tagged as:
osteoporosis,
RGH E-bulletin,
Vitamin D
Oral bisphosphonates are well established as a first -line option for the treatment of osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates inhibit bone resorption, increase bone mineral density (BMD) and decrease the risk of osteoporotic fractures. For alendronate and risedronate, weekly administration is as effective as once daily dosing. More recently, a presentation of risedronate has become available in a format that allows treatment to be administered once a month, and it is expected that this will further improve ease of administration and patient compliance.
Download (PDF, 8.64KB)
The 2009 RGH E-Bulletins are archived here.
If you like this post and what else you see on the blog please subscribe by RSS feed (the orange button) or by email. Visit my subscription page.
A joint initiative of the Patient Services Section and the Drug and Therapeutics Information Service of the Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia. The RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin is distributed in electronic format on a weekly basis, and aims to present concise, factual information on issues of current interest in therapeutics, drug safety and cost-effective use of medications.
Editor: Assoc. Prof. Chris Alderman, University of South Australia – Director of Pharmacy, RGH © Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia 5041.
Tagged as:
Bisphosphonates,
bone mineral density,
ibandronate,
osteoporosis,
RGH E-bulletin,
risedronate
Oral bisphosphonates are well established as a first -line option for the treatment of osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates inhibit bone resorption, increase bone mineral density (BMD) and decrease the risk of osteoporotic fractures.
For alendronate and risedronate, weekly administration is as effective as once daily dosing. More recently, a presentation of risedronate has become available in a format that allows treatment to be administered once a month, and it is expected that this will further improve ease of administration and patient compliance.
Download (PDF, 8.64KB)
The 2009 RGH E-Bulletins are archived here.
If you like this post and what else you see on the blog please subscribe by RSS feed (the orange button) or by email. Visit my subscription page.
A joint initiative of the Patient Services Section and the Drug and Therapeutics Information Service of the Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia. The RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin is distributed in electronic format on a weekly basis, and aims to present concise, factual information on issues of current interest in therapeutics, drug safety and cost-effective use of medications.
Editor: Assoc. Prof. Chris Alderman, University of South Australia – Director of Pharmacy, RGH © Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia 5041.
Tagged as:
alendronate,
Biphosphonate,
BMD,
bone density,
osteoporosis,
risedronate
