Table 1 – Types of vertigo (non-exhaustive list)[/caption]
Vomiting
In older people, dizziness significantly increases the risk of falls.7 Implementing appropriate interventions to address modifiable risk factors such as dizziness is of paramount importance. In cases of drug-induced dizziness, deprescribing can be considered if the medicine can be safely reduced, discontinued or substituted to prevent inappropriate prescribing cascades of potentially inappropriate medicines (PIM), especially in the context of older people.29
A national education program for pharmacists funded by the Australian Government under the Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology program.[/caption]
The hypothalamus houses neurons that produce neuropeptides called orexin A and B, which were discovered in 1998, and represent one of the most exciting discoveries in sleep medicine.5,13–15 Orexin-producing neurons help us stay awake and alert, especially when we really need to focus, which is critical for survival.5,14 These neurons reach out to many brain areas that use other wakefulness messengers such as acetylcholine, dopamine, histamine, serotonin and noradrenaline. These areas ‘talk back’ to the hypothalamus, to further boost wakefulness signals.5 Similarly, the thalamus is an important region that also serves to relay wakefulness signals from the RAS.5
Another dual orexin receptor antagonist (DORA), vornorexant*, is under development and currently undergoing clinical trials.28 
Other medicines such as dimdazenil* (partial positive allosteric modulator at GABAA specific to alpha-1 and alpha-5 GABAA receptor subtypes)41 and zuranolone* (positive allosteric modulator for GABAA) have also been tested, with positive outcomes in trials. Zuranolone* is marketed overseas specifically for postnatal depression, but clinical trials for its use in insomnia are ongoing.40
Kristy Carter (she/her)
Louise Edwards (she/her) The pain of uncertainty: Managing pain without codeine
With over-the-counter (OTC) codeine products being upscheduled, pharmacists and pharmacy staff need to review and understand every patient’s pain. In doing so, there’s an...
Gut fermentation of dietary fibres: implications for health
Studies have demonstrated a link between low levels of dietary fibre and the occurrence of chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Case study: Uncovering Josef’s asthma flare-ups
If your patient is experiencing an increase in the frequency or severity of asthma symptoms or an increased reliance on their asthma inhaler, allergies could be the hidden cause.
A simple way to improve pharmacist-patient interactions
Checking technicians would allow pharmacists to spend more time on patient-focused activities in both community and hospital pharmacy settings, New Zealand research has found.
Based...
Overprescribing of psychotropics for adults with autism
Adults on the autism spectrum are often prescribed psychotropic medication to manage behaviour, despite limited evidence to support this practice, a new report has...
Rural healthcare advocate honoured
NSW pharmacist Anna Barwick MPS was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2025 Australia Day Honours.
