Aust Prescr
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Co-formulated tenofovir disoproxil plus emtricitabine is highly effective as pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV It is suitable for men who have sex with men, for heterosexual sex and for people who use intravenous drugs when there is a risk of HIV infection Pre-exposure prophylaxis is one pill per day and can be prescribed by all medical practitioners and nurse practitioners via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. It is best prescribed in a three-monthly program with regular monitoring for patient adherence, safety, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections Prophylaxis is well tolerated but requires monitoring for kidney toxicity and low bone density
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The Australian asthma guidelines have recently been updated and include additional treatment options for adults and adolescents with mild asthma Mild asthma is not necessarily a benign condition and patients are still at risk of severe flare-ups, particularly if they overuse short-acting beta2 agonists such as a salbutamol inhaler For adults and adolescents with mild asthma, the updated guidelines include as-needed inhaled low-dose budesonide–formoterol as an alternative to daily low-dose inhaled corticosteroid plus as-needed short-acting beta2 agonist The budesonide–formoterol combination should be taken as needed to provide symptom relief and reduce the risk of severe exacerbations