精神科用药 Psychiatric Medicines and Side Effects

By the end of this module you can…

• Explain how long antidepressants usually take, and what the first weeks can bring.
• Ask about side effects, including sexual ones, and know which need a call today.
• Ask about missed doses without blame, and explain why not to stop suddenly.
• Ask about Chinese medicine and supplements with respect, and say why it matters.
• Stay within your role: what you can help with, and what goes to the prescriber.

Key vocabulary

Sixteen words from this module. Tap the speaker to hear each one.

The medicines

• 抗抑郁药kàng yì yù yàoAntidepressant
• 镇静药zhèn jìng yàoSedative, tranquilizer
• 情绪稳定剂qíng xù wěn dìng jìMood stabilizer
• 处方chǔ fāngPrescription
• 剂量jì liàngDose (formal)
• 药片yào piànTablet, pill
• 副作用fù zuò yòngSide effect
• 药房yào fángPharmacy

Taking them

• 按时吃药àn shí chī yàoTake medicine on schedule
• 漏吃lòu chīMiss a dose
• 停药tíng yàoStop a medicine
• 减量jiǎn liàngLower the dose, taper
• 上瘾shàng yǐnAddicted, habit-forming
• 恶心ě xinNausea, feel sick
• 起效qǐ xiàoStart to work
• 中药zhōng yàoChinese herbal medicine

Ten core phrases

The lines from this module’s take-home phrase sheet. In the course you can print them on one page for your pocket.

1. 吃了这个药，感觉怎么样？Chī le zhè ge yào, gǎn jué zěn me yàng?How has the medicine been for you?
2. 身体有没有什么不舒服？Shēn tǐ yǒu méi yǒu shén me bù shū fu?Have you felt unwell in any way?
3. 刚开始的一两个星期，可能会有一些副作用。Gāng kāi shǐ de yì liǎng ge xīng qī, kě néng huì yǒu yì xiē fù zuò yòng.The first week or two may bring some side effects.
4. 一般两到四个星期，会开始觉得好一点。Yì bān liǎng dào sì ge xīng qī, huì kāi shǐ jué de hǎo yì diǎn.Usually two to four weeks to start feeling better.
5. 这个星期，您大概漏吃了几次？Zhè ge xīng qī, nín dà gài lòu chī le jǐ cì?About how many doses did you miss this week?
6. 感觉好了，也不要自己突然停药。Gǎn jué hǎo le, yě bú yào zì jǐ tū rán tíng yào.Even when better, don’t stop suddenly on your own.
7. 您有没有在吃中药或者保健品？Nín yǒu méi yǒu zài chī zhōng yào huò zhě bǎo jiàn pǐn?Any Chinese medicine or supplements?
8. 吃药以后，有没有想过自杀？这种念头有没有比以前多？Chī yào yǐ hòu, yǒu méi yǒu xiǎng guo zì shā? Zhè zhǒng niàn tou yǒu méi yǒu bǐ yǐ qián duō?Since starting, any thoughts of suicide? More than before?
9. 剂量要怎么调整，要由开药的医生决定。Jì liàng yào zěn me tiáo zhěng, yào yóu kāi yào de yī shēng jué dìng.The prescriber decides on the dose.
10. 吃这种药的时候，不要喝酒。Chī zhè zhǒng yào de shí hou, bú yào hē jiǔ.Don’t drink alcohol with this medicine.

What’s in Module 7

1. Part 1 · Warm-UpWarm-Up: Medicines and You
2. Part 2 · The Words for MedicinesReading the Pinyin · Saying 药量 vs. Charting 剂量 · Vocabulary · Flash Cards · Side Effects: Who to Call
3. Part 3 · Starting a MedicineThe Check-In Script · Asking How It’s Going · Key Patterns · How Long It Takes · Common Side Effects · Watching the First Weeks
4. Part 4 · Taking It SafelyNot Stopping Suddenly · Sleeping Pills and Tranquilizers · Chinese Medicine and Supplements
5. Part 5 · Concerns & Next StepsWhat Patients Say · Your Role With Medicines · Putting It Together
6. Part 6 · Role-PlayRound 1 · Guided Conversation · Round 2 · Controlled Practice · Rounds 3, 4 & 5 · Independent
7. Part 7 · Knowledge CheckModule 7 Knowledge Check
8. Part 8 · Wrap-UpModule 7 Homework · Take-Home Phrase Sheet · Module 7 Wrap-Up · 下次见