Course Overview

Psychiatric drugs as a class are very commonly used in the general population and by patients of acupuncturists and Chinese medical practitioners. They also have serious adverse effects, potential addiction, and drug-herb interactions. This seminar examines major psychiatric drugs and the dangers Chinese medical practitioners need to be aware of when combining with herbs and acupuncture. We will look at various types of biomedical treatments for depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and mania. Herb-drug and acupuncture-drug interactions will be explored for each type of drug.

Course Objectives

• Understand how psychiatric drugs and herbs interact.
• Identify the most common psychiatric drugs with potential for drug-herb interactions.
• Explore how major psychiatric drugs act on the body.
• Protect oneself from potential medico-legal issues arising from interactions.

Course Outline

0 hrs - 15 minIntroduction.

15 min - 1.75 hrsDiscussion of individual Psychiatric drug classes including functions, mechanisms of action, adverse drug reactions, red flags, Chinese medical affects, and specific drug-herb interactions.

1.75 hrs - 2.75 hrsIntroduction and description of areas of concerns for drug-herb interactions.

2.75 hrs - 3 hrsSummary.