193 - Elevate Your Guideline Knowledge, Not Your BP: The New 2025 Hypertension Guidelines
HelixTalk - Rosalind Franklin University's College of Pharmacy Podcast
Release Date: 09/19/2025
196 - Stretching the Stroke Clock to 2026: A Brief Review of the 2026 Acute Ischemic Stroke Guidelines
HelixTalk - Rosalind Franklin University's College of Pharmacy Podcast
In this episode, we review key updates from the 2026 AHA/ASA Guideline for the Early Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke, including changes to IV thrombolysis, antiplatelet therapy, endovascular treatment, blood pressure goals, and glycemic goals. Key Concepts Tenecteplase (TNKase) is now equally preferred to alteplase (Activase) by the 2026 AHA/ASA guidelines. Tenecteplase has several advantages related to administration and the risk of medication errors. IV thrombolysis can be given in selected patients up to 9 hours after stroke symptom onset depending on brain imaging...
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195 - Burning Questions about Uncomplicated UTI Diagnosis and Treatment
HelixTalk - Rosalind Franklin University's College of Pharmacy Podcast
In this episode, we review the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections. Key Concepts Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) are defined as an infection localized to the bladder without any systemic signs or symptoms of infection in someone who is not immunocompromised, pregnant, catheterized, and has normal urologic anatomy. UTIs are most commonly seen in younger women. E. coli is by far the most common urinary pathogen. Symptoms alone drive most of the diagnosis of UTI; however, urinalysis and urine culture can be helpful in some...
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194 - 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists for Nausea/Vomiting: An In-Depth Drug Class Review
HelixTalk - Rosalind Franklin University's College of Pharmacy Podcast
In this episode, we review the pharmacology, indications, adverse effects, and unique drug characteristics of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists such as ondansetron (Zofran) and palonosetron (Aloxi). Key Concepts There are four 5-HT3 (serotonin subtype 3) receptor antagonists on the market: ondansetron, granisetron, dolasetron, and palonosetron. These have primarily been studied for acute chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (within 24 hours of chemotherapy administration) and for post-operative nausea and vomiting. When used for chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists...
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193 - Elevate Your Guideline Knowledge, Not Your BP: The New 2025 Hypertension Guidelines
HelixTalk - Rosalind Franklin University's College of Pharmacy Podcast
In this episode, we review the newly published 2025 ACC/AHA hypertension guidelines. Key Concepts Instead of the Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE) from 2013, the 2025 hypertension guidelines recommend a new risk equation called PREVENT, which incorporates new risk factors and does not include race as part of the risk calculation. The guidelines recommend starting two antihypertensive medications for initial therapy in stage II hypertension and one antihypertensive medication for stage I hypertension. The guidelines no longer recommend specific first-line therapies for black patients. Instead, all...
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192 - Opioids Optional: Journavx, the New Acute Pain Management Alternative
HelixTalk - Rosalind Franklin University's College of Pharmacy Podcast
In this episode, we discuss the evidence, safety, and place in therapy of Journavx® (suzetrigine), a newly approved analgesic with a unique non-opioid mechanism of action and additional considerations for its use. Key Concepts Suzetrigine is a first in its class NaV1.8 sodium channel blocker approved for short-term (14 days or less) pain relief in adults with moderate-to-severe pain. Unlike opioids, suzetrigine is non-sedating and non-dependence forming. Suzetrigine is taken as a whole pill without cutting, crushing, or chewing following a particular dosing schedule where the first dose is...
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191 - The Ultimate Guide to ARBs: An In-depth Drug Class Review
HelixTalk - Rosalind Franklin University's College of Pharmacy Podcast
In this episode, we review the pharmacology, indications, adverse effects, monitoring, and unique drug characteristics of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). Key Concepts ARBs are equally efficacious as ACE inhibitors when used for hypertension, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), chronic kidney disease (CKD) with proteinuria, and post-MI care. Some limited evidence suggests that they might be better in reducing albuminuria in patients with diabetes. ARBs are generally better tolerated than ACEi due to a lower risk of angioedema and dry cough. While most ARBs...
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190 - Can’t Stop, Won’t Drop … The BP That Just Won’t Quit: Diagnosis and Treatment of Resistant Hypertension
HelixTalk - Rosalind Franklin University's College of Pharmacy Podcast
In this episode, we discuss the diagnosis and treatment of resistant hypertension, including a newer endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) called aprocitentan (Tryvio®). Key Concepts The diagnosis of true resistant hypertension is based on requiring more than 3 antihypertensives (ACE inhibitor or ARB + calcium channel blocker + diuretic) to achieve goal BP, ruling out inaccurate BP readings, and ensuring patient adherence to their antihypertensive therapy. Non-pharmacologic therapy (especially dietary sodium restriction), medication adherence, and lifestyle changes are critical to the...
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189 - Mice, Macrophages, and Metabolism: Browning Keeps Obesity at Bay
HelixTalk - Rosalind Franklin University's College of Pharmacy Podcast
In this episode, we discuss the very early stages of drug targets and drug development with Dr. Mohd Shahid, PhD. Dr. Shahid’s research involves the IER3 gene, which is an important modulator of the body’s inflammatory response via its action in major immune cells, including macrophages and T-cells, and plays a role in metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis, revealing a previously unknown function of this protein. Key Concepts Drug development is a multi-decade journey – human clinical trials occur very late in the process. Drug development often starts...
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188 - The Clot Thickens: Key Updates from the 2025 Acute Coronary Syndromes Guidelines
HelixTalk - Rosalind Franklin University's College of Pharmacy Podcast
In this episode, we review the new 2025 ACC/AHA Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) guidelines, with a particular focus on guideline recommendations for analgesics, P2Y12 inhibitors, parenteral anticoagulation, and lipid management. Key Concepts Nitrates and opioids are recommended for symptomatic relief of chest pain. Some patients may not be appropriate for nitrates (e.g. recent PDE-5 inhibitor use, hypotension, or right ventricular infarction). Opioids are used for nitrate-refractory angina but have a theoretical risk of delaying the effect of oral antiplatelet medications. Prasugrel and...
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187 - Infectious Ambitions: A Pharmacist's Career Pivot from Clinical to Industry
HelixTalk - Rosalind Franklin University's College of Pharmacy Podcast
In this episode, we interview Morgan Anderson, PharmD, BCIDP, a graduate of the RFUMS College of Pharmacy, about her career path from a pharmacy resident, emergency medicine specialist, infectious diseases specialist, and now a medical sciences liaison. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely Dr. Anderson’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of her employer. This podcast is conducted in a personal capacity, and any reference to her professional background is for context only. Key Concepts Having a wide breadth of skills and...
info_outlineIn this episode, we review the newly published 2025 ACC/AHA hypertension guidelines.
Key Concepts
- Instead of the Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE) from 2013, the 2025 hypertension guidelines recommend a new risk equation called PREVENT, which incorporates new risk factors and does not include race as part of the risk calculation.
- The guidelines recommend starting two antihypertensive medications for initial therapy in stage II hypertension and one antihypertensive medication for stage I hypertension.
- The guidelines no longer recommend specific first-line therapies for black patients. Instead, all patients without compelling indications should be initiated on a thiazide, ACE inhibitor, ARB, or dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker regardless of race/ethnicity.
- All patients should have a blood pressure goal of < 130/80 mmHg. Some patients may consider a more stringent goal of < 120/80 if they have diabetes or are at a higher risk of future ASCVD events.
References
- Jones DW, Ferdinand KC, Taler SJ, Johnson HM, Shimbo D, Abdalla M, Altieri MM, Bansal N, Bello NA, Bress AP, Carter J, Cohen JB, Collins KJ, Commodore-Mensah Y, Davis LL, Egan B, Khan SS, Lloyd-Jones DM, Melnyk BM, Mistry EA, Ogunniyi MO, Schott SL, Smith SC Jr, Talbot AW, Vongpatanasin W, Watson KE, Whelton PK, Williamson JD. 2025 AHA/ACC/AANP/AAPA/ABC/ACCP/ACPM/AGS/AMA/ASPC/NMA/PCNA/SGIM Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2025 Aug 14. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001356. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40811497.