Do homeopathic medicines provoke adverse effects? A systematic review

Dantas, Flávio; Rampes, Hagen

doi:10.1054/homp.1999.0378

Cited by 150 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…11 This supports the notion that homeopathic medicines in high dilutions are safe but does not support the claims that they are effective against cancer. 10,[12][13][14] Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a mechanism cells adopt to remove abnormal cells, and it plays a vital role in development and in many other biological functions. Apoptosis plays a pivotal role in the control of tumor growth by counterbalancing proliferation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Homeopathic Medicines Do Not Alter Growth and Gene Expression in Prostate and Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro

Thangapazham

Gaddipati²,

Rajeshkumar

et al. 2006

Integr Cancer Ther

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Background: Homeopathy is an alternative medical system practiced in all parts of the world. Although several theories are proposed to explain the mechanisms of action, none are scientifically verified. In this study, the authors investigate the effect of selected homeopathic remedies often used to treat prostate and breast cancer. Materials and Methods: The authors investigated the effect of the homeopathic medicines Conium maculatum, Sabal serrulata, Thuja occidentalis, Asterias, Phytolacca, and Carcinosin on prostate and breast cancer cell (DU-145, LNCaP, MAT-LyLu, MDA-MB-231) growth and on gene expression that regulates apoptosis, using MTT and multiprobe ribonuclease protection assay. Results: None of the homeopathic remedies tested in different potencies produced significant inhibitory or growth-promoting activity in either prostate or breast cancer cells. Also, gene expression studies by ribonuclease protection assay produced no significant changes in mRNA levels of bax, bcl-2, bcl-x, caspase-1, caspase-2, caspase-3, Fas, or FasL after treatment with homeopathic medicines. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that the highly diluted homeopathic remedies used by homeopathic practitioners for cancer show no measurable effects on cell growth or gene expression in vitro using currently available methodologies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Homeopathic Medicines Do Not Alter Growth and Gene Expression in Prostate and Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro

Thangapazham

Gaddipati²,

Rajeshkumar

et al. 2006

Integr Cancer Ther

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“…Adverse effects of homeopathic remedies have been investigated by Dantas and Rampes [23]. They stated that there was a rate of 9% for adverse effects in patients using homeopathic remedies in contrast to 6% in the placebo group.…”

Section: Risk Assessment and Patient Safetymentioning

confidence: 99%

How to Handle Worsening of Condition during Treatment - Risk Assessment in Homeopathic Practice

Salamonsen¹,

Kristoffersen²

2015

Complement Med Res

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Even though homeopathy is regarded as a harmless intervention, homeopathic practice may not be entirely risk-free. Risk in homeopathy can be divided into direct and indirect risk. Direct risk refers to traditional adverse effects of an intervention; indirect risk is related to adverse effects in a treatment context, e.g. the practitioner. Available data suggest that the risk profile of homeopathic remedies in ultra-molecular potencies is minor, but there is a potential for indirect risk related to homeopathic practice. The concept of ‘homeopathic aggravation' which is unique for homeopathy may impose a particular risk as it allows the health status of the patients to deteriorate before there is a possible improvement. In that respect it is imperative to distinguish homeopathic aggravations from adverse effects. In a general risk evaluation of the homeopathic treatment it may be useful to assess the patient's symptoms in accordance with the natural course of disease and to evaluate any negative deviation from the normal curve as a possible adverse effect of the treatment. It is imperative that more emphasis is placed on patient safety during the education in homeopathy, and that students are trained to identify serious and red flag situations.

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“…Homeopathy appears to be very safe, 40 which is an important motivating factor amongst its patients. The alternative of homeopathy is one of the reasons frequently cited by parents who do not wish their children to be immunised.…”

Section: Is It Safe?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Complementary medicine: evidence base, competence to practice and regulation

et al. 2003

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-This paper describes the current status and evidence base for acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal and manipulative medicine, as well as the regulatory framework within which these therapies are provided. It also explores the present role of the Royal College of Physicians' Subcommittee on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in relation to these developments. A number of CAM professions have encouraged the Royal College of Physicians Subcommittee to act as a reference point for their discussions with the conventional medical profession and the subcomittee believes that they are able to fulfil this function.

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Do homeopathic medicines provoke adverse effects? A systematic review

Cited by 150 publications

References 6 publications

Homeopathic Medicines Do Not Alter Growth and Gene Expression in Prostate and Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro

Homeopathic Medicines Do Not Alter Growth and Gene Expression in Prostate and Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro

How to Handle Worsening of Condition during Treatment - Risk Assessment in Homeopathic Practice

Complementary medicine: evidence base, competence to practice and regulation

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