Most Chinese people are familiar with Longdan Xiegan Wan, a long-standing ancient formula that can often be seen in pharmacies. But why is Guanmutong in Longdan Xiegan Wan being replaced by Mutong?
Picture of Guanmutong
Why is Guanmutong in Longdan Xiegan Wan being replaced by Mutong?
The Guanmutong incident, also known as the Longdan Xiegan Wan incident or the Aristolochic Acid Nephropathy incident, shocked the Chinese people in the years around the turn of the century due to its widespread adverse drug reactions.
Domestic Aristolochic Acid Nephropathy is closely related to the traditional Chinese medicine Guanmutong. Guanmutong is a commonly used Chinese herb with the function of clearing heat and promoting diuresis. It used to be the main ingredient of Longdan Xiegan Wan, a widely used Chinese patent medicine.
However, Guanmutong contains aristolochic acid, which has a strong toxicity to the kidneys and can damage renal tubular function, leading to renal failure.
Longdan Xiegan Wan is a long-standing ancient formula, and the original recipe includes "Mutong," mainly referring to Bai Mutong of the Aristolochiaceae family or Chuan Mutong of the Ranunculaceae family, neither of which contains aristolochic acid.
Guanmutong in Longdan Xiegan Wan has been replaced by Mutong, which has no toxic effects.
Picture of Guanmutong
Toxicity of Guanmutong
Guanmutong is a commonly used Chinese herb with the function of clearing heat and promoting diuresis. It used to be the main ingredient of Longdan Xiegan Wan, a widely used Chinese patent medicine.
However, Guanmutong contains aristolochic acid, which has a strong toxicity to the kidneys and can damage renal tubular function, leading to renal failure. Because of the close relationship among the three, the names of the incidents may vary, but they refer to almost the same thing.
The toxic component aristolochic acid in Guanmutong, when taken in excessive amounts, can cause acute renal failure, and even death.
Symptoms of poisoning include upper abdominal discomfort, followed by vomiting, headache, chest tightness, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, diarrhea, facial edema, frequent urination, urgency of urination, gradually spreading systemic edema, and confusion.
The cause of poisoning is excessive or prolonged use. Therefore, it must be used strictly according to the prescribed dosage and usage.
The treatment for poisoning includes gastric lavage and intestinal lavage. According to reports, early administration of adrenal cortical hormone can delay the progression of the disease. Timely hemodialysis can achieve favorable treatment opportunities and effects. For patients with obvious renal impairment and end-stage renal disease, replacement therapy such as kidney transplantation is necessary.
