OIM 532 - Western Pharmacology II: Neuropsychopharmacology, Pain, and Inflammation

Credit(s): 2.50

The second course in the sequence builds upon foundational concepts to analyze medications that affect the central nervous system. Students study the pharmacology of antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and atypical agents, as well as anxiolytics, mood stabilizers, sedative-hypnotics, and antipsychotics, with a focus on side-effect profiles, including serotonin syndrome, sedation, and metabolic disturbances. The pharmacologic management of substance use disorders is examined, encompassing opioid agonists and antagonists, nicotine replacement therapies, and cannabinoid-based treatments. Students are instructed to evaluate the safety of integrating herbal medicines with central nervous system-active drugs, paying particular attention to cytochrome P450 enzyme interactions, additive sedation, or serotonergic effects. The course concludes with an overview of analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologics. Case-based discussions emphasize the risks associated with the combination of pharmaceuticals and common supplements, including potential gastrointestinal bleeding or hepatotoxicity. Upon completion of the course, students will possess the ability to evaluate drug regimens, identify clinically significant interactions, and effectively communicate concerns regarding herb-drug safety to patients and other healthcare providers. Prerequisite(s): IM531