By rray, 7 September, 2023

Test

Can you identify this pill?
Cialis (tadalafil)
Focalin (dexmethylphenidate)
Vraylar (cariprazine)
Letairis (ambrisentan)
You are correct. Focalin is a brand of dexmethylphenidate that's used to treat ADHD.

As a reminder, you can use the Pill ID feature to identify a pill based on its imprint code or physical characteristics, including shape, color, and scoring. Find Pill ID in the epocrates app or on epocrates web.
[Source: Pill ID]
Which state had three counties that reported more than half of all the identified neuroinvasive cases of West Nile virus in the U.S. in 2021?
Colorado
Arizona
California
Texas
Nebraska
You are correct. Arizona reported the largest number of neuroinvasive cases (1,140) and the highest incidence of WNV neuroinvasive disease (15.7 per 100,000 population). In 2021, three Arizona counties — Maricopa, Pima and Pinal — reported more than 50% of all identified neuroinvasive cases in the country.

Jurisdictions with the next highest numbers of West Nile Virus cases were Texas with 130, Colorado with 101, California with 96 and Nebraska with 69.

Most patients had illness onset during July-September.

CDC. MMWR. West Nile Virus and Other Nationally Notifiable Arboviral Diseases - United States, 2021.
(epocrates)—A 28-yo female w/ generalized anxiety disorder, HTN, and hx of substance abuse presented for follow-up 8wk after starting escitalopram. Although she tolerated the tx well, she continued to experience anxiety sx. The decision was made to start buspirone as an augmenting agent. Current meds: escitalopram 20 mg daily, diltiazem 240 mg ER daily, hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg daily.

Appropriate measures for safe initiation of buspirone in this pt include which of the following?
initiate buspirone at usual dose, monitor for s/sx of serotonin syndrome, other adverse effects
initiate buspirone at a reduced dose, monitor for s/sx of serotonin syndrome, other adverse effects
initiate buspirone at usual dose, monitor for altered BP control
You are correct. Diltiazem increases the systemic exposure of buspirone 5.5-fold. Thus, buspirone should be initiated at a reduced dose (eg, 2.5 mg bid) in pts receiving diltiazem. Additionally, because both buspirone and escitalopram have serotonergic effects, monitor pts for emergence of s/sx of serotonin syndrome, particularly during initiation/titration.

Source: buspirone [package insert]. Morgantown, WV: Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.; 2016. buspirone package insert at DailyMed.

More info on buspirone is available in epocrates.
Can you identify this pill?
Rapamune (sirolimus)
Adcirca (tadalafil)
Imitrex (sumatriptan)
Accupril (quinapril)
You are correct. Adcirca is a brand of tadalafil that's indicated for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Other uses of tadalafil include erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hypertrophy.

As a reminder, you can use the Pill ID feature to identify a pill based on its imprint code or physical characteristics, including shape, color, and scoring. Find Pill ID in the epocrates app or on epocrates web.
[Source: Pill iD]