ABOUT COURSE
This course unwinds the therapeutic benefits of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)- a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands and used as a supplement for its potential benefits in enhancing energy, mood, and overall well-being.
The curriculum covers essential topics for prescribers including:
- Indications
- Dosage and Administration
- Mechanism of Action
- Pharmacokinetics
- Warnings
- Drug Interactions
- Contraindications
- Augmentation Strategies
- Recommended Lab Tests
- Therapeutic Levels
- Overdose Management
- Tapering/Withdrawal
- Use in Special Populations-
- Pregnancy,
- Lactation,
- Renal Impairment,
- Hepatic Impairment,
- Cardiac Impairment,
- Elderly,
- Children and Adolescents.
- Important pearls based on years of practice.
This course aims to enhance the clinical capabilities of psychiatric nurse practitioners and other prescribers by providing the knowledge to prescribe and manage DHEA therapy effectively and safely.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Brand Names & Generic:
- Learn about brand names under which DHEA is marketed.
- Learn about different generic names under which DHEA is available in the market.
Indications:
- Learn the FDA-approved uses and potential off-label applications of DHEA.
- Know the dosages of all potential off-label uses.
Dosage and Administration:
- Understand different medication forms and their administration.
- Implement appropriate dosage and administration guidelines for DHEA in various clinical scenarios.
- Learn how to dose DHEA correctly and identify usual dosage ranges.
Pharmacological Effects:
- Explore the mechanisms of DHEA.
- Understand how DHEA works in the brain as Psychedelic and produces its androgenic effects.
- Discuss the impact of DHEA on neurotransmitter levels and brain chemistry.
Pharmacokinetics:
- Absorption: Understand how DHEA is absorbed in the body.
- Distribution: Learn about the distribution of DHEA in the body.
- Metabolism: Discuss the metabolism of DHEA.
- Elimination: Understand how DHEA is eliminated from the body.
- Half–life: Know the half-life of DHEA and its clinical significance.
Drug Interactions:
- Identify common drug interactions with DHEA and strategies for managing them.
- Understand the mechanisms through which these interactions occur.
- Know which medications should be avoided with DHEA due to drug interactions.
Common Side Effects:
- Learn about the most common side effects of DHEA.
- Understand potential life-threatening side effects and how to manage them.
- Educate patients on what to expect and how to manage side effects.
Contraindications:
- Learn the conditions under which DHEA should not be used.
- Understand the reasons why these conditions are contraindicated.
Best Augmenting Combos for Partial Response:
- Learn about the best augmenting combinations for patients with partial response to DHEA.
- Discover effective strategies for augmenting DHEA therapy.
- Evaluate the efficacy and safety of common augmentation strategies.
Recommended Lab Tests:
- Learn about recommended lab tests for safe and effective monitoring.
- Identify necessary lab tests to monitor patients on DHEA.
- Interpret lab results to guide treatment adjustments.
Therapeutic Monitoring:
- Apply strategies for therapeutic monitoring to optimize treatment outcomes.
- Know about the therapeutic blood levels for DHEA.
Overdose:
- Understand the signs and symptoms of DHEA overdose.
- Recognize early warning signs of overdose and effective management strategies.
Tapering/Withdrawal:
- Apply best practices for tapering and withdrawal of DHEA to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
- Follow the best protocols based on decades of clinical practice to safely taper DHEA.
- Educate patients on the process and expected symptoms of tapering.
Usage with Special Populations:
- Gain insights into the unique considerations for prescribing DHEA to special populations such as pregnancy, lactation, hepatic impairment, renal impairment, cardiac impairment, elderly, and children.
- Tailor DHEA dosage for special populations considering their unique needs.
- Understand the risks and benefits of DHEA use in these populations.
Important Pearls:
- Learn about essential clinical pearls to enhance practice and ensure patient safety.
- Understand the most important facts about DHEA based on decades of clinical practice.
- Apply practical tips and experiences from clinical practice.
