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) Pharmacists soon to provide shingles management
Herpes Zoster (HZ), or shingles, is a common viral infection, with one in three people developing the condition in their lifetime.
What’s the impact of the upcoming insulin discontinuations?
The discontinuation of several insulin products will leave many patients struggling to adjust to new medicine strengths and devices.
High interruption rates threaten patient safety
New research has found that pharmacists are interrupted at alarming rates when dispensing medicines.
Led by Monash University’s Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, the...
NSW pharmacies to offer COVID-19 vaccine to under-40s
About 450 community pharmacies in New South Wales will be able to administer the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to patients under 40 years of age from next week, the NSW Premier announced today.
Neuropathic pain medicines can increase the risk of falls
These oft-used medicines have become the analgesia of choice for many prescribers. But care should be taken before prescribing gabapentinoids to certain patients.
Gabapentinoid medicines...
How will post-lockdown restrictions impact pharmacists?
After more than 100 days in lockdown, New South Wales pharmacists reflect on the challenges of the past few months and what lies ahead.
