The Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin
Austin, Texas
John K. Chen, Ph.D., Pharm.D., O.M.D., L..Ac.
Course WS0223, 1 Credit/ 12 hours
Herb-Drug Interactions
john.chen@aompress.com
Herb/Drug Interactions
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
A. Current Catalog statement:
“Overview of known interactions between biomedical pharmaceuticals and herbal therapies, with up-todate information on the consequences and/or benefits of specific drug and herb combinations, herb and
nutritional supplement interactions, accessing this information, and the role of practitioners in educating
patients and promoting public health safety.” (AOMA 2006-2007 Catalog).
B. Pre-requisite WS0201, HT0201, HT0202
C.
Personal Comment: As traditional Chinese medicine grows and thrives in the United States, it is of
vital importance that the students gain more in-depth understanding of how herbs work based on their
pharmacological effects and clinical applications. This knowledge will not only improve treatment
effectiveness, it will also help to minimize potential conflicts and interactions with western
medications.
II. COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES
A. Program, Departmental and Class Learning Objectives:
AOMA’s Program Learning Objectives (PLOs)
Graduates of the AOMA Master's degree program will:
1. Have the knowledge base necessary to enter the profession
2. Practice professional behaviors and values
3. Provide patient centered care
4. Incorporate evidence and experience based practices
5. Participate in collaborative patient care
Biomedical Department Mission Statement
The Biomedical Department at AOMA is committed to the pursuit of excellence, integrity, and quality
demonstration and instruction in the modern biomedical science theories and their applications in a modern
Oriental Medical practice.
Biomedical Department Learning Objectives (DLOs)
1. Describe, categorize, discuss, compare and contrast the modern biomedical model of the human body in
health and of disease processes.
2. Identify, describe, and demonstrate basic biomedical techniques of assessments and diagnostics.
Define and classify biomedical pharmacological agents.
3. Review, evaluate, and critic biomedical research methodology, research design, and hypothesis
generation.
4. Describe and explain common forms of biomedical treatments for a wide array of diseases from
all systems. Develop and demonstrate sound clinical judgments and actions as they pertain to
biomedical model within the Oriental medical clinical setting.
5. Demonstrate, explain and integrate basic biomedical disease theories, assessments, diagnostic
techniques, tests, reports and results, and pharmacological herb-drug interaction in a safe and
ethical manner in the clinical practice of Oriental medicine.
Course Learning Objectives
WS0223 Herb/Drug Interactions
Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
 Screen for potential drug herb interactions
 Discuss the importance and risks of herb and drug interactions
 Select and critically analyze current research on drug and herb combinations and herbal and
nutritional supplement interactions
 Identify pharmacokinetic interactions such as absorption, distribution, metabolism, and
elimination.
 Identify pharmacodynamic interactions and impact on cells, tissues and organ systems.
 Discuss positive drug-herb interactions and the corresponding evidence
 Develop drug-herb interaction resources.
III. COURSE TEXTBOOKS
A.
RECOMMENDED:
- Chen J & Chen T. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (CMHP). Art of Medicine
Press. City of Industry. ISBN: 0-9740635-0-9
- Chen J & Chen T. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications (CHFA). Art of Medicine Press.
City of Industry. ISBN: 0-9740635-7-6
B.
Why was this textbook selected?
This is the best and only text that discusses the pharmacological effects, safety and toxicology, and
herb-drug interactions of Chinese herbs.
IV. GRADING
All work must be submitted to the satisfaction of the instructor in order to pass the course.
GRADING WEIGHTEDNESS
Exam
Class Participation
Numerical Equivalent:
Percent Grade
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
69 and below
50%
50%
100%
Letter Grade
A Outstanding to very good
B Good to average
C Below average
F Fail
Grade Point
4.0
3.0
2.0
0.0
V. COURSE PRACTICES and POLICIES PRACTICES
A. Class Attendance, Tardiness, Leaving Early
Students are expected to be on time and prepared for the day’s classes. Furthermore, class participation is
required, as is a courteous and polite manner. Strict adherence to the Student Handbook and AOMA
policies will be kept.
Attendance is mandatory. Since this is a didactic course, a student may miss up to two hours of this 12hour course without affecting the grade. If a student misses more than what is permissible, regardless of the
reason, the final course grade will be lowered one letter. If a student misses more than 25 % of the
scheduled classes, the student will be dropped from the course as of that date, and the course grade will be
determined as stated in the add/drop policy.
Three tardies or early departures will be counted as an absence and will be subject to the stated attendance
policies.
If a student misses an exam, the individual must make it up within 7 calendar days. Please contact the
administration office to set up the date for making–up the exam and to pay the make – up fee. Please read <
Student Manual 2006-2007> for details.
B. Scholarship of Engagement Agreement
As a learning institution, AOMA engages in classroom research on the effectiveness of teaching. It is
understood that all student work and grades may be anonymously used in the study of the scholarship of
teaching and learning. Any student not wishing to participate in this learning endeavor should make his or
her wishes known to the professor within the first two weeks of the course.
C. Shared Responsibility for Learning
Students are expected to be actively engaged with the learning process. Both instructor and students have
responsibilities to be active participants in the learning that occurs.
D. Accommodation for Special Needs
If you need special accommodations because of a documented disability, whether it is a physical, sensory
or learning, you must process your request with the Dean of Students.
Contact should be made prior to the beginning of the term (the sooner the better), to allow enough time
to review the disability documentation and to arrange for any needed reasonable accommodations. If
contact is not made prior to the beginning of the term accommodations may not be possible.
E. Classroom Decorum
I encourage students to be actively involved and ask questions at any time. Students have a responsibility
to come prepared and be alert. Creativity is highly valued.
VI. COURSE SEQUENCE and REQUIREMENTS
Tentative
Day 1
Goal: To introduce the learners to the various concepts within the areas of pharmacokinetics and
pharmacodynamics and how that affects and drives various known and potential interactions between
herbs, drugs and supplements, and safety concerns that result. Emphasis is on using critical thinking skills
with current information and developing resources for current and future research outcomes.
Objectives: At the end of the class the student will be versed in basic concepts of pharmacokinetics and
pharmacodynamics, and the recognition and prevention of Herb-Drug Interactions.
Day One Topics: The topics covered include:
- The fundamental knowledge of pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions
- The herbs that are most likely to interact with other drugs/herbs
- Discussion of the most common drug-herb interactions
- Recognize the herbs with teratogenic properties
- Adjust dosage of herbs based on age and / or body weight.
- Treatment of overdose and adverse reactions
The practice of medicine is now at a crossroads: there are countless patients being treated simultaneously
with both prescription medications and herbal formulas. Safety has become a major issue. Patients today
are better informed than ever before, and they want to know how compatible herbs are with their
prescription medication and what possible adverse interactions they should be aware of. With some general
insights in pharmacology and by learning the latest information regarding pharmacokinetic and
pharmacodynamic interactions, you can foresee possible interactions and thus take precautions to avoid
incompatibilities. You can't afford not to know. Your practice may depend on it. Your patients definitely
depend on it.
Day 2
Goal. To understand in-depth the pharmacological effects of individual herbs, and clinical applications of
herbal formulas. These in-depth knowledge will empower student gain keen insight on the effect of
Chinese herbs in the human body, enable them to prescribe more precise and accurate herbal treatments,
and avoid potential conflicts and interactions with western drugs.
Objectives: At the end of the class, the students should be able to use herbs for optimal results using
principles in both traditional Chinese and western medicines.
Day One Topics: The topics covered include:
- Understand the pharmacological effect of individual herbs
- Understand the clinical applications of herbal formulas
- Prescribe and modify herbal treatments using principles in both traditional Chinese and western
medicines
- Evaluate and avoid potential conflicts and interactions with western medications
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), we live in a world where adverse
drug interactions and fatal drug reactions are the 4th and 6th leading causes of death; a world where the
drugs we prescribe to save lives are taking lives. While western pharmaceuticals provide effective
treatment for some conditions, they can have many unwanted side effects. Herbs, on the other hand, can
provide just as effective treatment but without the adverse reactions that occur with prolonged use of
pharmaceuticals. With a background in both western pharmaceuticals and Chinese herbs, Dr. John Chen is
in a unique position to assess the best patient-care using both Western medicine and Traditional Chinese
medicine.
In this two-part series, Dr. Chen will discuss herb-drug interactions and pharmacological effects and
clinical applications of herbs. You will learn how to co-manage patients using herbs as an alternative to
commonly prescribed drugs. Also, you will be given the proper protocols for time frames and herbal
dosages leading to the reduction of pharmaceutical usage. Some medical conditions require patients to be
on lifelong drug regimens and suffer from unwanted side effects. For these patients, you will learn which
herbs can be prescribed as adjuncts to constitutionally strengthen the patient while treating symptoms
associated with the side-effects of the drugs.
Bibliography and Additional Resources
o
o
Chen J & Chen T. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (CMHP). Art of Medicine Press.
City of Industry. ISBN: 0-9740635-0-9
Chen J & Chen T. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications (CHFA). Art of Medicine Press. City of
Industry. ISBN: 0-9740635-7-6