CM 620 - Western Pharmacology & Biochemistry

Credit(s): 2.50

This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the foundational principles of pharmacology, including pharmacodynamics (PD), pharmacokinetics (PK), the FDA drug development process, and the interpretation of drug information relevant to clinical decision-making. Students will then examine the pharmacology of the autonomic nervous system, which encompasses cholinergic and adrenergic agonists and antagonists. The course then progresses to cardiovascular pharmacology, addressing diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs), antiarrhythmic agents, and anti-anginal medications. The course concludes with a study of drugs utilized for asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Emphasis is placed on the prudent co-management of patients employing medications alongside herbal therapies that are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. Students will develop competencies in identifying high-risk interactions, such as additive hypotensive effects or QT prolongation, and will receive comprehensive training in the assessment and management of side effects associated with herb-drug combinations.