Similitude in modern pharmacology

Abstract

The principle of the similitude, the basis of homeopathy, has correspondences in the clinical studies of secondary effects of many modern pharmaceutical agents through the observation of the rebound effects of these drugs. Through clinical pharmacology, I proposed a model on which to base the scientificism of the homeopathic model. We have studied the effects of the drugs in the human body using pharmacological compendia and recent scientific works, confirming the mechanism of the homeopathic medicines' action through the verification of the primary action of the drugs and the consequent secondary reaction of the organism in hundreds of pharmaceutical agents. Treatment exploiting the "rebound" effect (curative vital reaction) may also be observed. This work suggests a research methodology to scientifically base the therapeutic principle of similitude.

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

“…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.…”

“…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.…”

“…[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] Similarly, since the beginning of our studies, we have been suggesting the use of modern drugs in accordance with the principle of therapeutic similarity, proposing the use of drugs that cause adverse events similar to the manifestations of diseases in order to treat them homeopathically, using the rebound effect (paradoxical reaction) in a curative manner. 2,3,9,10,11,13,[27][28][29][30][31][32][33] In this study, we elaborate on this proposal in accordance with the assumptions of the homeopathic model and the fundamentals of modern pharmacology, describing existing research and a specific methodology for the therapeutic application of the rebound effect of modern drugs, suggesting the use of this practice in a complementary and adjuvant manner 34 in a myriad of diseases and syndromes. As such, we hope to contribute to medical knowledge, minimizing prejudice related to homeopathy and encouraging an expansion of the art of healing.…”

“…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).…”

Research on Homeopathy: State of the Art

“…12,13 Allergology makes use of it in desensitization. Psychotherapy, in some forms, uses the activation of similar situations or constellations of symptoms that produced trouble to cure it.…”