ABSTRACT
<p>Orengedokuto, a Kampo formulation, has traditionally been used to treat various diseases, including hypertension with neuropsychiatric symptoms, gastritis, dermatitis, hematemesis and hemorrhagic stools. We report 8 cases of intractable hemorrhage that could not be controlled by Western medicine, but were successfully treated with orengedokuto. We elaborate on 3 cases, including 1 case treated by enema administration of orengedokuto, which was found to be a useful method. In a representative case, an 80-year-old man with aplastic anemia who was taking anticoagulants due to a history of mitral valve replacement presented with a chief complaint of black stool. Hemorrhagic gastritis was diagnosed. We repeatedly attempted endoscopic hemostatic therapy, but failed to achieve hemostasis. Oral administration of orengedokuto demonstrated hemostatic effects within a few days of starting treatment. In all 8 these cases, moreover, we observed quick clinical responses with no side effects. Although the hemostatic mechanism of orengedokuto remains unclear, we speculate that orengedokuto contains a short-acting component that affects primary hemostasis. As such, conventional orengedokuto may also have potential as a novel hemostatic agent.</p>