[Thinking on safety of "toxic" traditional Chinese medicine for external use]

Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2019 Apr;44(8):1710-1714. doi: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20190116.008.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

In recent years,the safety of " toxic" traditional Chinese medicine has received great attention. Similarly,the safety of " toxic" Chinese medicines for external use should not be ignored. In this paper,the adverse reactions of toxic Chinese medicine for external use were systematically studied; the causes for adverse reactions were analyzed; and the key problems on the external use of toxic Chinese medicine in modern clinical practice were put forward. For example,usage dosage(time,area),specific efficacy of external use,early warning index of toxicity,toxic dose,adverse effects,toxic symptoms and corresponding treatment measures all had no reference basis,lacking a systematic toxicity evaluation medication criteria for clinical external use of toxic Chinese medicine. Attention shall be paid to the toxicity of toxic Chinese medicine for external use,and the theory of toxicity evaluation should be established for the external use of " toxic" traditional Chinese medicine under specific conditions. The early warning mechanism for toxic and adverse effects were clarified,and relevant early warning sensitive indicators applicable to clinical use were established in this study to control its risk factors. The study on the mechanism of pharmacodynamics and toxicology of " toxic" traditional Chinese medicine for external use was strengthened to clarify the usage and specific effects of external use. On the basis of this,the study of synergism and reduction of toxicity was carried out to maximize the efficacy of external use of traditional Chinese medicine under specific conditions. A toxicity standard of " toxic" Chinese medicines for external use was put forward,which was of great significance to guide clinical safety,rationality,effectiveness as well as the research and development of new dosage forms for external use of traditional Chinese medicine.

Keywords: " toxic" traditional Chinese medicine; existing problems; external use; safety; untoward effect.

MeSH terms

  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / toxicity*
  • Humans
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional
  • Research

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal