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) Experts rank alcohol as the drug which causes the most harm
The public conversation around substance abuse often centres around illicit drugs and prescription medicine misuse, but a new study suggests that the impact of...
PSA18 maps out the future of pharmacy
PSA18 has wrapped up in Sydney, with the future of pharmacy firmly in sight as PSA presented the Pharmacists in 2023 Discussion Paper, a...
Pharmacists in 2023 report embraced
Pharmacists are underutilised in the Australian healthcare system and should be able to practise their skills to their full scope, says Dr Richard Di...
From the President: Onboard with aged care
Earlier this year the outgoing Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced the government would allocate $345.7 million in the 2022–23 federal Budget for pharmacists in aged care.
Engaging hyper-connected patients
At PSA17, I discussed how pharmacists can engage hyper-connected patients to help them avoid misinformation or misadventure. In case you missed it, here are...
Pharmacists reaffirm need to vaccinate, as flu strain mutates
Healthcare professionals have reaffirmed the importance of vaccines this flu season, after the mutation of the H3N2 strain rendered some vaccines less effective.
A spokesperson...
