Cassandra Pardini, PharmD

Contributing Writer https://www.empr.com

Cassandra Pardini is a freelance writer and registered pharmacist with a diverse background in drug therapy, scientific research, and the drug discovery and developmental process. She obtained her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University, Master of Science degree in chemistry and chemical biology from Northeastern University, and Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Boston College. She currently lives in Rhode Island with her husband and 3 children.

All articles by Cassandra Pardini, PharmD

News

Cannabis Use Leads to INR Elevation in Warfarin-Treated Patient

Cassandra Pardini, PharmD

August 2, 2019

“The elevation in INR can be explained by the inhibition of CYP2C9 by cannabis use causing decreased metabolism of warfarin,” the authors explained.

Melatonin Use in Children Raises Safety Concerns

News

Melatonin Use Examined Among School-Aged Children

Cassandra Pardini, PharmD

July 31, 2019

Although the long-term effects of melatonin in school-aged children are unknown, its use is common in this population, according to the findings of a recently published cross-sectional study.

News

How Often Does the FDA Disagree With Its Advisory Committees’ Recommendations?

Cassandra Pardini, PharmD

July 23, 2019

According to the findings of a recent review, the Food and Drug Administration rarely disagrees with recommendations made by its advisory committees.

News

Pregnancy-Related Adverse Events Linked to Isotretinoin Persist Despite REMS Implementation

Cassandra Pardini, PharmD

July 19, 2019

According to the findings of a recent retrospective analysis, pregnancy and pregnancy-related adverse events related to isotretinoin administration have dropped since the initiation of the iPLEDGE program by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006, however reports of fetal exposure persist. The iPLEDGE program is a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) that aims…

News

Higher Intensity Therapy With Simvastatin-Ezetimibe May Benefit Elderly Patients After ACS

Cassandra Pardini, PharmD

July 18, 2019

According to the results of a secondary analysis of the Improved Reduction of Outcomes: Vytorin Efficacy International Trial (IMPROVE-IT), treatment with simvastatin-ezetimibe appears to be beneficial for patients ≥75 years old with stabilized acute coronary syndrome (ACS), compared with simvastatin alone. IMPROVE-IT was a randomized, double-blind, multicenter study that evaluated the outcomes and risks…

News

Does Doxycycline Cause Tooth Discoloration in Younger Patients?

Cassandra Pardini, PharmD

July 16, 2019

Short-term use of doxycycline in pediatric patients younger than 8 years old does not appear to discolor teeth or weaken tooth enamel, according to the findings of a recent review. In their commentary, the study authors aimed to summarize the existing evidence assessing the association between doxycycline exposure in children <8 years old with tooth…

News

Do Beta-Blockers Increase the Risk for COPD Exacerbations?

Cassandra Pardini, PharmD

July 12, 2019

Cardioselective beta-blockers do not appear to increase the rate of exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Urinary tract infections in men are often the result of an obstruction — for example, a urinary stone or enlarged prostate — or from a catheter used during a medical procedure. This CT scan of the abdomen of an elderly man shows a calculus in the kidney, which has caused swelling of the renal cavities and has blocked the ureter that links the kidney to the bladder.

News

Stone Formation in an HIV Patient Two Years After Stopping Ritonavir

Cassandra Pardini, PharmD

July 11, 2019

A recently published report describes the case of a 33-year-old female patient with HIV who experienced ritonavir-induced nephrolithiasis 2 years after discontinuing the medication.