Course Overview

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) drugs as a class are varied in their effects and often used by patients of acupuncturists and Chinese medical practitioners. They also have serious adverse effects, drug-herb interactions, as well as interference with Chinese diagnostics. This seminar examines major ANS 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 Alzheimers and other dementias, Parkinson's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, hypo- and hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and other conditions. Herb-drug and acupuncture-drug interactions will be explored for each type of drug.

Course Objectives

• Understand how autonomic nervous system drugs and herbs interact
• Identify the most common autonomic nervous system drugs with potential for drug-herb interactions
• Explore how major autonomic nervous system drugs act on the body

Course Outline

0 hrs - 30 minIntroduction

30 min - 2.5 hrsDiscussion of individual autonomic nervous system drug classes including functions, mechanisms of action, adverse drug reactions, red flags, Chinese medical affects, and specific drug-herb interactions

2.5 hrs - 3 hrsSummary