The Effects of Byakko-ka-ninjin-to on Patients in whom Thirst has been induced by Disopyramide Phosphate / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

Disopyramide phosphate, administered to treat arrhythmias, has an anti -cholinergic effect and produces thirst. As the herbal preparation Byakko-ka-ninjin-to is known to ameliorate the symptom of thirst, Kanebo Byakko-ka-ninjin-to extract was administered orally at a dose of 6.0g/day for 12 weeks. Its efficacy was monitored in the 11 patients receiving this treatment for thirst resulting from Disopyramide phosphate in the form of time-release tablets.<br>No adverse influence on the effectiveness of the Disopyramide phosphate in the treatment of arrythmias was observed upon administration of this Kampo formula. No side effects were observed in 81.8% of the cases. “Remarkable improvement” in thirst was reported by 18.2% of the cases, “improvement” was described by 27.3%, “slight improvement” was presented by 18.2% and “no remarkable change” was experienced by 18.2%. No cases (0%) had “worsening” and no evaluation was possible in 18.2% of the cases. The overall efficacy, which included cases in which the Kampo formula was considered “slightly effective” or better, and which also included the safety of the formula, was 63.6%.<br>This study suggested that Byakko-ka-ninjin-to is useful in the amelioration of the symptom of thirst, a common side-effect of Disopyramide phosphate.