Avoiding adverse drug reactions to Chinese medicine injections

Abstract

A total of 109 varieties of Chinese medicine injections (CMI) have been approved by the State Food and Drug Administration of China, all of which have the potential to induce adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Major ADRs include systemic anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock, acute intravascular hemolysis, hepatorenal damage, skin lesion, cardiac damage, respiratory system injury, and gastrointestinal disorders. Contributing factors of ADRs include healthcare workers' inadequate attention to ADRs of CMI, complex ingredients, allergic uncertainties, and inappropriate drug use in children and the aged. To decrease ADRs resulting from CMI, it is essential to improve the selection of drug indications, delivery of proper dosage regimens, compliance with drug instructions, and selection of solvents for the drugs.

Confirmation of a proarrhythmic risk underlying the clinical use of common Chinese herbal intravenous injections

“…Our results suggest that the death numbers in clinics (Wang et al, 2004) are proportional to the severity of proarrhythmic risk of SHL, QKL and YZH found in this study. Currently, the adverse drug reactions caused by CHIs are thought to be attributed to allergic reactions and misuse in clinics (Li, 2010;Wang et al, 2010aWang et al, , 2010bZhang et al, 2010).…”

“…Since 1954, the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) of China has officially approved 109 CHIs for clinical use (Li, 2010). These CHIs (liquid or powder forms) are used clinically in China as putative therapies for a variety of diseases (including but not limited to bacterial and viral infections, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular dysfunction, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis; Zhou et al, 2006a).…”

Impact of Chinese Herbal Medicine on American Society and Health Care System: Perspective and Concern

“…Now the unconventional intravenous injection of herbal preparations bypassing the gastrointestinal tract has caused some allergic reaction in some patients, which is relatively uncommon if the properly prepared herbs are taken by mouth. In fact, a total of 109 varieties of Chinese medicine injections have been approved by the State Food and Drug Administration of China, all of which have the potential to induce adverse drug reactions that include systemic anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock, acute intravascular hemolysis, hepatorenal damage, skin lesions, cardiac damage, respiratory distress, and GI disorders [12]. Furthermore, the tendency for consumers to use multiple unprepared herbs in conjunction with one another and in addition to prescription medications is problematic as most consumers and, in fact, most physicians and pharmacists are unaware of their potential drug interactions.…”

Effect of Chlorogenic Acid (5-Caffeoylquinic Acid) Isolated fromBaccharis oxyodontaon the Structure and Pharmacological Activities of Secretory Phospholipase A2 fromCrotalus durissus terrificus

“…However, 5CQA has to be used correctly because the intramuscular application of this compound can induce myotoxicity, which can aggravate the patient's symptoms. There are several reports of adverse effects from the use of natural compounds, and many of these effects depend on the administration route of the compound [39]. …”