We may not be able to predict all drug-herb interactions, but we can determine potentials for interactions This seminar examines how to approach these potential drug-herb interactions. A discussion of basic pharmacology, including the ADME scheme (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination) and the therapeutic index, form the foundation of this understanding. The participant will leave with real skills to assess potential interactions and the ability to determine which are important, which aren’t, and which may be in the future. Both the nine drugs and ten herbs most prone to drug-herb interactions will be discussed. These drugs and herbs are based on an evidence based approach. and discusses the practical application of the ADME scheme and therapeutic index.
Course Goals
A participant will be able to:
- Understand the basics of how drugs and herbs interact
- Identify the most common pharmacological reasons drugs and herbs interact
- Create protocols to avoid interactions
- Protect oneself from potential medico-legal issues arising from interactions
This is California Acupuncture Board (CAB) Category 1 distance education course. For NCCAOM, this course is a safety PDA. This course is approved by the California Acupuncture Board and NCCAOM for 3 hours of continuing education and PDAs. For further information, please contact Dr. Greg Sperber, CAB CEU Provider #1349, NCCAOM PDA Provider #166669, at DrGreg@integrativemedicinecouncil.org or (619) 881-0029.
Refund Policy: This course may be downloaded as soon as purchased and therefore no refunds are possible.
Carol –
Very technical and would have liked an easier understanding of applying principles
Christopher –
Thank you very much.
Ashley –
I would have liked the pharmaceutical name of the herbs provided, as opposed to just pinyin and english common name. I also would have enjoyed more in-depth theory regarding pharmacognosy and pharmacology.
Nicole –
I would have liked more common drugs used today discussed rather than ones not seen so much anymore – drugs a lot of patients are on.
William P., –
fantastic course, will really help you in deciding on a treatment plan.
Christina –
Because I went to school soooo long ago, I felt like I needed a little bit more review of the “basics”
Patricia –
Was very interesting. Definitely understand why they interact now. Had a teacher who said “never to worry about interactions because herbs and drugs use two different mechanisms and never cross paths”. Glad I took the course. Although I don’t really feel any more confident about prescribing herbs to clients already on meds.
Ruth –
The instructor chose as his top 10 drugs the most dangerous drugs, not the most widely used. In fact, two of the drugs he listed he said aren’t used much at all anymore. It would be helpful to me to better understand the drugs that I see all the time: levothyroxine, synthroid, gabapentin, metformin, oxycodone, various muscle relaxers, trazadone, etc. And given the wide use of cannabis-based products (both CBD and THC) it would be useful to get some insight on how those can be safely used and what dangers may be out there.
Claudia –
There was a lot of information put into the two hours. I’m glad that I will have this as a resource
Kimberly –
It was very in depth and at some times past the necessary scope of knowledge required
julie –
Thank you for the clear and simple explanation of “ADME”, “TI” and the various levels of studies (ie., level C vs D, etc.).
Mayu –
Lots of knowledges of herbs and drugs! Nice handouts so I can pre-study and review.
Will –
Thanks!
Laurel –
The course itself was very great, good information and well researched.
Laura –
Thanks, there is a lot in this topic but overall well presented.
William –
In this area that usually mystifying for most of us. Dr.Greg provides an easy to follow guide. Your voice is clear and content is very interesting
Zoe –
Would be good to list the drugs that you think we should avoid while using those herbs. The herbs are in a lot of formulas, so would be handy to have that info with us.
Nathan –
The only feedback is on the quiz- I watched the entire video, reviewed all the materials and found only passing discussion on beta blockers (unless I somehow missed more). It seems that the quiz hardly warranted two questions on beta blockers when they were barely covered vs all of the other drugs/herbs and their actions/interactions. This really isn’t a big deal as the course was super informative.
Michael –
Excellent short course
Ella –
Thank you for a condensed material that is very applicable in clinical practice. I’d like to suggest the use of diagrams and tables to make the learning process easier and more interesting.
Truth –
I love that it was so literature based, i understand the ‘why’ behind why you did it this way. But I would of liked it if it included herbs that we utilise more.
Shawna –
Another fantastic course. Thank you so much for condensing so much material into something digestible and usable.
William –
fantastic course, will really help you in deciding on a treatment plan. In this area that usually mystifying for most of us. Dr.Greg provides an easy to follow guide. Your voice is clear and content is very interesting
Donna –
I found this course to be clear and concise and enlightening. I feel more confident now with prescribing herbs.
Brittney –
He’s just so stinking smart.
Martelle –
I would have liked to have seen Greg’s face as he presented the material & not just read off the slides, which was quite rushed.
Dwain –
A good overall introduction to this large and important subject matter
Catherine –
I am curious to know how the aspects of the herbs’ actions that might cause interactions could be related to their therapeutic effects when used safely & appropriately. In the context of Chinese medicine treatment and formula composition, what does is mean for a particular herb to induce or inhibit cytochrome P450 or P-glycoprotein? Maybe this is the subject of another course, but I think it would have enhanced my understanding of the discussion here. Also, it would have been helpful to know to what degree the research takes dosage into account. For example, Gan Cao seems to have hypertensive effects in large doses, but how do these “large doses” compare to the relatively small doses of Gan Cao that are included in many formulas? Is there a threshold dose below which Gan Cao is less of a concern?
Brian –
It was thorough and easy to understand. In this area that usually mystifying for most of us. Dr.Greg provides an easy to follow guide. Your voice is clear and content is very interesting
Catherine –
I really appreciate having a list of drugs and herbs that I can hold onto for reference whenever I am looking for potential herb/drug interaction red flags. This was a great introduction to basic safety considerations when deciding whether to introduce herbs to patients on these particular medications.
Gail –
Greg definitely has done his homework. Lot’s of good information to share.
Ruth –
I found this course interesting from start to finish. Even without a background in biochemistry, it was easy to understand and easy to follow.
Diana –
It was a good review of what I learned in acupuncture school. I also learned new things and received good updates.
Mary Helen –
It was really interesting to understand the therapeutic index and how poorly drugs can be absorbed, as well as how much research goes into how they’re metabolized and eliminated.
Michelle –
Clinically applicable information presented clearly
Katherine –
I would have liked more discussion about the interactions of drugs with herbs
Kara –
I wish there was more Chinese Medicine information. It felt too western medicine oriented.
Rebekah –
Excellent class. My only issue was with the audio which faded in and out a little as you moved, maybe use a mike that moves with you next time and record at a slightly higher volume to make it easier for users to adjust.
Lei –
Great class! I use herbal medicine frequently, I’m always interested in the interaction between western medicine and Chinese herbs. This class gave me enough information to understand the mechanism of the interaction but also not overwhelmed by too many medications and herbs.