Papers by Geraldine Moses
PubMed, Jun 1, 2015
This is the first article in a series providing evidence-based answers to common questions about ... more This is the first article in a series providing evidence-based answers to common questions about complementary medicines from consumers and healthcare professionals.
PubMed, Jul 1, 2015
This is the third article in a series providing evidence-based answers to common questions about ... more This is the third article in a series providing evidence-based answers to common questions about complementary medicines from consumers and healthcare professionals.
PubMed, Jun 1, 2015
This is the second article in a series providing evidence-based answers to common questions about... more This is the second article in a series providing evidence-based answers to common questions about complementary medicines from consumers and healthcare professionals.
PubMed, Sep 1, 2015
What is St Johns wort? Extracts of St John's wort (SJW) or Hypericum perforatum, a perennial herb... more What is St Johns wort? Extracts of St John's wort (SJW) or Hypericum perforatum, a perennial herb with small yellow flowers, are widely available in pharmacies and health food stores. Historically, SJW has been used for a variety of conditions including abdominal pains, alcoholism, earaches and menopausal complaints. However, the most common reason for using SJW is depression and low mood. Patients will commonly be advised to take SJW when presenting to health food stores with symptoms of depression. 1 While high-quality, controlled studies found it to be effective for the treatment of mildto-moderate depression, 2-4 it has not been included in mainstream treatment guidelines because of uncertainty about appropriate doses, persistence of effect, variation in the nature of preparations and potentially serious drug interactions. 5,6
PubMed, Aug 1, 2015
This is the fourth article in a series providing evidence-based answers to common questions about... more This is the fourth article in a series providing evidence-based answers to common questions about complementary medicines from consumers and healthcare professionals.
Journal of pharmacy practice and research, Mar 1, 2005
Recent surveys suggest that the elderly are more frequent users of complementary and alternative ... more Recent surveys suggest that the elderly are more frequent users of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) than the general population-up to 80% have reported using at least one CAM on a regular basis in the past year. Although many reasons are cited for their interest in CAMs, the elderly commonly state that CAMs are not used as 'alternatives', but rather as 'supplements' to compensate for aspects perceived to be lacking in conventional care. Although high-level evidence supports the use of some CAMs in specific conditions, their use in the elderly presents significant challenges as this population is burdened by polypharmacy, decreased functional reserve and chronic disease. Preventing adverse reactions and drug interactions associated with CAM use is complicated by the fact that fewer than 50% of older patients disclose CAM use to their doctor or pharmacist. This article is a guide for health professionals who wish to advise the elderly consumer on the rational use of CAMs.
Journal of Dentistry, 2022
INTRODUCTION Prescribing errors are a common type of medication error, even in dental practice. H... more INTRODUCTION Prescribing errors are a common type of medication error, even in dental practice. However, prescribing is a skill to which little attention is paid, as the profession is mostly focussed on performing dental procedures, eschewing the use of drugs, to treat dental conditions. Most dentists in Australia report learning little about prescribing during their university training, gaining these skills informally on the job after they graduate. Despite this, dentists are the second largest prescriber group in Australia and prescribe a wide variety of drugs including antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioid analgesics, muscle relaxants and anxiolytics. OBJECTIVES To summarise medication safety, medication and prescribing errors in the context of dental practice. DATA The sources of medication and prescribing errors are reviewed. SOURCES For this narrative review, pivotal concepts regarding sources of medication error and types of prescribing error are highlighted. The Swiss Cheese model of prescribing errors is also discussed, highlighting possible interventions when errors can be detected and averted. STUDY SELECTION Case reports of prescribing error in dentistry in Australia are presented, highlighting examples of how dental prescribing is prone to error. CONCLUSIONS Solutions lie in addressing the systems and processes in which dentists work. Examples include implementing forced functions such as checklists and electronic prescribing tools. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Dentists are the second largest prescriber group in Australia and prescribe a wide variety of drugs. As such, prescribing errors are common in dental practice. Solutions to reduce medication and prescribing errors lie in addressing the systems which govern dentistry, as well as implementing forced functions such as prescribing tools.
Australian Dental Journal, 2019
The use of illicit and misuse of licit drugs is a global public health problem, with illicit drug... more The use of illicit and misuse of licit drugs is a global public health problem, with illicit drug use being responsible for 1.8% of the total disease burden in Australia in 2011. Oral adverse effects associated with illicit drug use are well‐established, with aggressive caries, periodontitis, bruxism, poor oral hygiene and general neglect documented. Other factors such as a high cariogenic diet and lifestyle, social and psychological factors compound the poorer oral health in illicit drug users. Literature has shown that the oral health‐related quality of life among injecting drug users is poorer compared with the Australian general population and the overall quality of life of addicted people correlates with caries experience. Thus, the role of the dentist is imperative in managing the oral health of these individuals. Given their widespread recreational use, it is likely that dental practitioners will encounter patients who are regular or past users of illicit drugs. The aim of th...
Journal of Primary Health Care
Introduction Antidepressant use has increased over the last two decades, with Australia and New Z... more Introduction Antidepressant use has increased over the last two decades, with Australia and New Zealand among the highest antidepressant users in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Comorbidity and polypharmacy are common in antidepressant users, increasing the likelihood of interaction-related adverse drug events, which are frequently preventable. Aim We aimed to identify, profile, and analyse potential antidepressant drug–drug interactions in information-seeking antidepressant users. Methods We retrospectively analysed antidepressant-related drug–drug interaction enquiries from patients or carers who contacted a pharmacist-led Australian national medicines call centre over an 8-year period to determine patient characteristics, concomitant drugs involved, prevalence and type of antidepressant-related drug–drug interaction across life stages, and associated risks. Results Of 3899 antidepressant drug–drug interaction calls, the most frequent conco...
Australian Family Physician, 2015
Australian family physician, 2015
Despite the high use of over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines, little is known about Au... more Despite the high use of over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines, little is known about Australia's cough and cold medicines information needs. The aim of this study was to identify gaps in consumers' perceived knowledge and concerns, to better target consumer medicines information and improve quality use of medicines. We analysed cough-and-cold related enquiries from consumers who contacted an Australian national medicine call centre between September 2002 and June 2010. Of 5503 cough and cold calls, female callers made up 86% of the calls and 33% were related to children. Questions most frequently related to drug-drug interactions (29%). An analysis of narratives over an 18-month period (248 calls) revealed 20% of the calls concerned potentially clinically relevant interactions, particularly those involving psychotropic agents. The potential for interactions with cough and cold medicines purchased OTC is recognised by consumers. Patient information should address th...
Australian Prescriber, 2010
Australian Prescriber, 2021
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Papers by Geraldine Moses