Evidence of the principle of similitude in modern fatal iatrogenic events

Abstract

Samuel Hahnemann attributed fundamental importance to the principle of similitude, promoting it to a 'natural law'. Observing that enantiopathic or allopathic treatment produced enduring aggravation of the disease symptoms after a brief and transitory initial relief, he systematised homeopathic treatment, prescribing substances that provoke similar symptoms in healthy individual. Based on clinical and experimental observations, he anticipated the concept of homeostasis, dividing the effects of substances into: primary action of the medicine followed by secondary action or reaction of the organism. This reaction, known as the rebound effect or paradoxical action by modern pharmacology, used to awake the curative response of the body when the principle of similitude is applied, is responsible for several iatrogenic diseases when used on the basis of the principle of contraries. This study discusses the role of this paradoxical reaction of the organism in the fatal side effects of four important drugs, used according to the model of enantiopathic treatment of the symptoms. I present evidence relating to acetylsalicylic acid, rofecoxib, antidepressants and long-acting bronchodilators. The consequences of the allopathic treatment could be decreased if health professionals valued homeostasis, minimising the rebound effect of the organism by gradual suspension of palliative drugs.

Homeopatia: prática médica coadjuvante

“…Além do possível agravamento da doença de base (AVE, cetoacidose diabética, IAM, crise asmática grave, respectivamente), a suspensão abrupta e indiscriminada dos medicamentos enantiopáticos poderá desencadear a reação paradoxal ou efeito rebote do organismo (reação vital) causando eventos graves e fatais [6][7][8] . Como desprezar a probabilidade da ocorrência destas iatrogenias nesta conduta homeopática imprudente?…”

Therapeutic use of the rebound effect of modern drugs: "New homeopathic medicines"

“…Since 1998, we have been scientifically grounding the principle of therapeutic similarity through the systematic study of the "rebound effect" of modern drugs ("paradoxical reaction" of the organism), [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] showing the manifestation of this secondary and opposite reaction of the organism after the primary action of numerous classes of drugs. At the end of 2013, we published a review on the rebound effect of drugs in this journal, 13 showing the extent of the phenomenon and alerting health professionals about the serious consequences that this unknown adverse event can cause.…”

“…the principle of siMilarity in the light of Modern pharMacology [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Building a bridge between the principle of similarity and modern scientific rationality, hundreds of studies de-scribed, in recent medical literature, the occurrence of secondary and opposite reactions of the organism after the primary actions of different drugs, confirming the homeopathic postulate. As mentioned previously, this secondary action or organism's reaction, which manifests itself automatically and instinctively in order to maintain the homeostasis of the system, is described by contemporary pharmacology and physiology as the rebound effect of the drugs, or paradoxical reaction of the organism, respectively.…”

“…Epidemiological studies show that this magnitude can cause severe and fatal events after the suspension of certain classes of drugs (antithrombotics, antidepressants, bronchodilators, anti-dyspeptics and immunomodulators, among others). [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] The rebound effect manifests itself at different intervals (hours to weeks) after the exhaustion of the biological effect (half-life) of the drug, and its duration is also variable. Despite the suspension or discontinuation of the drug being a prerequisite for the manifestation of the rebound effect, given that the primary action of the drug persists while the receptors are being stimulated (biological half-life), studies show that the rebound effect may also occur in the course of treatment due to therapeutic failure or the development of tolerance, tachyphylaxis or desensitization.…”

“…On the other hand, a slow and gradual reduction of doses (tapering) to prevent abrupt discontinuation can minimize the occurrence of the rebound effect. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] In analogy to the proposal to be detailed below, reports in the literature describe the use of conventional drugs according to therapeutic similarity. Among these, we can cite the use of biphasic oral contraceptives to promote ovulation and rebound pregnancy in women with functional sterility and the use of central nervous system stimulants (methylphenidate) to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).…”