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) Pharmacist’s difficult journey through the healthcare system
The journey through the Australian healthcare system has been long and hard for this pharmacist patient with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Mid-year pharmacy policy overhaul begins
This week pharmacists will see a suite of regulatory and funding changes take effect.
Here are the six key updates pharmacists need to know before...
These are the reasons people misuse prescription opioids
Contrary to the belief that people who misuse prescription opioids are doing the wrong thing, a recent Australian study has shown most people overuse opioids to manage symptoms such as pain and mental health conditions.
What pharmacists need to know about new prescribing pilots
On 19 February, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced that a proposed pharmacist prescribing pilot would go ahead.
Dos and don’ts of palliative care
How pharmacists can support patients in the end-of-life period.
Wegovy approved to cut cardiovascular risk
The popular weight-loss drug Wegovy has been approved to treat cardiovascular disease in patients who are overweight or obese.
