Exercise and Drug Interactions
Presented by Kenneth L. Miller
Non-Financial: Ken Miller has no competing non-financial interests or relationships with regard to the content presented in this course.
The To Err is Human report on medical errors sheds light on the need for greater attention to medications and their effects on physical and mental functioning over the past 20 years. There is a greater understanding of drug–drug interactions and potentially inappropriate prescribing/administration of medications. This course is an intermediate-level course for physical therapists and occupational therapists. Clinicians completing this course will develop an understanding of the effects of lifestyle (sedentary vs. active) on physiology, how physiological changes impact the body’s ability to metabolize medications, and how to incorporate this knowledge into exercise prescription and patient education. The learner will receive concrete strategies and resources to help improve patient safety related to exercise–drug interactions.
Meet your instructor
Kenneth L. Miller
Dr. Kenneth L. Miller is an Associate Professor and Geriatric Physical Therapy Residency Program Director at the Medical University of South Carolina in the Division of Physical Therapy. He earned his PhD in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman's University in 2024 and is a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Essentials of Resting and Exercise Physiology
This chapter will discuss the essentials of resting and exercise physiology. Students will understand the energy systems of the body and related changes that occur with exercise in the cardiovascular/pulmonary system in order to meet oxygen demands necessary to function.
2. Changing Pharmacokinetics: Potential Exercise and Drug Interactions/Response
This chapter will discuss pharmacokinetics at rest and the potential changes that exercise may have on absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of medications. Reduced blood flow to the liver and kidney have the potential of altering a drug’s efficacy. Drugs of particular interest are the antidiabetic agents that may cause hypoglycemia due to their potential for adverse events.
3. Creating Appropriate Care Plans
This chapter will discuss appropriate exercise prescribing for specific drug considerations, exercise considerations, and health considerations. Specifically, potential changes that occur with anticoagulants, antihyperlipidemic agents, and antidiabetic agents are addressed to improve safe exercise.
4. Patient Monitoring and Education
This chapter will provide the clinician with signs and symptoms of exercise–drug interactions for clinician and patient/client monitoring. Specific techniques for patient education will be provided to help improve patient adherence and safety with exercise. The chapter concludes with a patient interaction incorporating use of teach-back during education of exercise–drug interactions.
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