Avoiding Herb-Drug Interactions

Course overview

This course analyzes the safety risks associated with the combined use of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, focusing on the primary reasons why they should not be taken together. By focusing on clinically common herbs---such as those containing tannins, organic acids, etc.---the course elucidates their interactions with anticoagulants, antihypertensive drugs, etc. It further clarifies the potential impacts of these interactions, including reduced therapeutic efficacy, increased toxic side effects, and the risk of adverse events. Additionally, the course emphasizes principles for safe medication use, such as administering drugs separately at appropriate intervals, monitoring for adverse reactions, avoiding duplicate medication, ensuring safety for special populations, etc.