TEC: Evidence Based Therapeutics
Therapeutics Education Collaboration
Medication Mythbusters – Home of the Best Science (BS) Medicine Podcast

The BS Medicine Podcast episodes are presented by James McCormack and Michael Allan. We try to promote healthy skepticism and critical thinking and most of the podcasts are presented in a case-based approach. We also try to inject some humour into the whole process to make the learning more interesting. Occasionally we have great guests like Mike Kolber, Tina Korownyk and Bruce Arroll help us out.

Most podcast episodes are available for free until they become archived after about 1-2 months. Every 4th episode or so is a “New Studies You Need to Know About” podcast and these will only be available to our Premium Podcast members. Premium members will also be able to listen to all archived episodes since episode #1.

Episode 587: Mission Slimpossible – Oral GLP-1 agonists for weight loss

In episode 587, Mike and James invite Adrienne Lindblad back to the podcast to go over all the evidence we have for the oral GLP-1 weight loss medications. You know you are going to get lots of questions about these medications so tune in to find out all the numbers around the benefit and potential harms – and cost.

Show notes
1) Tools for Practice
Mission Slimpossible Part 2: Oral GLP-1 agonists for weight loss

Episode 586: It’s time to challenge penicillin allergy labels

In episode 586, Mike and James invite Émélie Braschi back to the podcast to talk about the tricky issue of how to deal with a potential penicillin allergy. Believe it or not there are a couple of RCTs looking at this issue. These two trials compared oral challenge alone to skin testing followed (if negative) by oral challenge. The results may allow you to change your practice in a good way. Tune in and find out why.

Show notes
Tools for Practice
It’s time to challenge penicillin allergy labels!

Episode 585: PREMIUM – Beta-blockers after an MI and respiratory specialists for COPD

In episode 585, Mike and James finally get back to being PREMIUM. We review the REDUCE-AMI trial which tried to answer the question – do you need to use a beta-blocker after an MI if there is preserved ejection fraction? We also review a COPD trial that shows integrating respiratory specialists in primary care improves guideline adherence. However, the interesting finding is what happens to the quality-of-life change and hospitalizations. The results of both of these trials may surprise you.

Show notes
1) REDUCE-AMI- Beta-Blockers after Myocardial Infarction and Preserved Ejection Fraction
N Engl J Med 2024;390:1372-1381

2) Cluster randomised controlled trial of specialist-led integrated COPD care (INTEGR COPD)
Thorax 2024;79:209–218

Episode 584: Remind me, do medications that target brain amyloid improve my dementia?

In episode 584, Mike and James invite Tina Korownyk back to the podcast to talk about the evidence for amyloid-targeting monoclonal antibodies in mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s dementia. Unfortunately, the evidence shows these medications don’t seem to have a clinically important effect and do have some harms. Have a listen as we give you all the numbers so you will be able to properly discuss these medications with your patients.

Show notes

Tools for Practice
Remind me, do medications that target brain amyloid improve my dementia?

Episode 583: Reducing the risk associated with risk calculators – PART II

In episode 583, Mike and James continue to go over the issues associated with using CVD risk calculators. We talk about some of the limitations, how to think about the results and explain the risks and benefits to patients.

Show notes
PEER Simplified Cardiovascular Decision Aid

Incorporation of Shared Decision-Making in International Cardiovascular Guidelines, 2012-2022
JAMA Network Open. 2023;6(9):e2332793. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.32793

Lipid levels in patients hospitalized with coronary artery disease: an analysis of 136,905 hospitalizations in Get With The Guidelines
Am Heart J 2009;157:111-7.e2

Agreement among cardiovascular disease risk calculators
Circulation. 2013;127:1948–1956

Episode 582: Reducing the risk associated with risk calculators

In episode 582, Mike and James go over the issues associated with using CVD risk calculators. We talk about where the numbers come from, what they mean, what their limitations are, how to think about them and how to use them. So have a listen as it may decrease your risk but it will definitely increase your understanding.

Show notes
1) PEER Simplified Cardiovascular Decision Aid
https://decisionaid.ca/cvd/

2) Incorporation of Shared Decision-Making in International Cardiovascular Guidelines, 2012-2022
JAMA Network Open. 2023;6(9):e2332793. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.32793

3) Lipid levels in patients hospitalized with coronary artery disease: an analysis of 136,905 hospitalizations in Get With The Guidelines
Am Heart J 2009;157:111-7.e2

4) Agreement among cardiovascular disease risk calculators
Circulation. 2013;127:1948–1956

Episode 581: Antibiotics or no antibiotics for acute diverticulitis, that is the question!

In episode 581, Mike and James invite Mike Kolber back to the podcast for the umpteenth time – this time we talk about a topic we haven’t discussed before – acute diverticulitis. Historically, if a person has diverticulitis they were given antibiotics BUT do they really do anything? We look at all the evidence and the results may surprise you.

Show notes
Tools for Practice
Antibiotics or no antibiotics for acute diverticulitis, that is the question!

Episode 579: Oral Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide Antagonists: A painfully long name for the acute treatment of migraines

In episode 579, Mike and James invite Nicholas Dugré back to the podcast to talk about the evidence around the benefits and harms of a new class of medications for the acute treatment of episodic migraines. Ubrogepant is an oral calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonist. In this case, amazing as it may sound, there are triple the number of systematic reviews than there are RCTs. Nonetheless, we go over all the evidence and at the end of the podcast you’ll know what the world knows about these agents.

Show notes

Tools for Practice

Oral Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide Antagonists: A painfully long name for the acute treatment of migraines

Episode 578: Making a difference in indifference? Medications for apathy in dementia

In episode 578, Mike, James and Jennifer Potter try to answer the question, in patients with dementia, how safe and effective are stimulants, antidepressants, and antipsychotics for treating apathy? We look at the evidence for methylphenidate, antipsychotics, and antidepressants so tune in to find out if any of these treatments have any sort of effect in this very difficult to treat condition.

Show notes
Tools for Practice
Making a difference in indifference? Medications for apathy in dementia

See List of All Podcast Episodes

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