Factors associated with psychotropic prescriptions, psychiatric hospitalization, and spending among Medicare beneficiaries under 65.

Background: Medicare beneficiaries under 65 are a medically heterogenous population with significant psychiatric health service utilization. Patterns of psychiatric health services utilization and spending have not been well studied in this population.

Objective: To estimate and compare annual trends in psychotropic prescriptions, psychiatric hospitalization, and total Medicare spending between Medicare beneficiaries <65 and those ≥ 65.

Linezolid-induced lactic acidosis corrected with sustained low-efficiency dialysis: a case report.

Linezolid, an oxazolidinone antibiotic, has been reported to increase the risk of lactic acidosis and peripheral neuropathy because it disrupts mitochondrial function. This case report describes the development of lactic acidosis in a 63-year-old man who had received 3 months of treatment with intravenous linezolid for pulmonary nocardiasis, and correction of the acidotic state with sustained low-efficiency dialysis. This case demonstrates that renal replacement therapy can be an alternative to discontinuation alone for rapid reversal of linezolid-induced lactic acidosis.

Alcohol use behaviors among pharmacy students.

Objective: To identify reasons for drinking, determine the patterns of alcohol abuse, and explore relationships between drinking motives and alcohol abuse patterns in pharmacy students.

Methods: A cross-sectional anonymous, voluntary, self-administered paper survey instrument was administered to first-year (P1) through third-year (P3) pharmacy students as part of a professional seminar.

Results: Survey instruments were completed by 349 pharmacy students (95.