Nowadays, the medical community mostly advocates the combination of Chinese and Western medicine. Correct combination of Chinese and Western medicine can have a synergistic effect in treating diseases. However, if used incorrectly, it can reduce the effectiveness of treatment or even lead to toxic side effects and iatrogenic diseases. So, what are the common incompatibilities between Chinese and Western medicine in daily life?
【Incompatibilities between Chinese and Western medicine】
1. Chinese herbs containing calcium and aminoglycoside antibiotics
Aminoglycoside antibiotics such as gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin can bind to calcium ions. If used in combination with Chinese herbs containing calcium, it can increase the neurotoxicity of aminoglycoside drugs. Chinese herbs containing calcium include dragon bone, oyster shell, sea cucumber, deer antler, and goji berries.
2. Chinese herbs containing organic acids and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
To be precise, Chinese herbs containing organic acids such as Japanese apricot, schisandra, cherry fruit, and dogwood fruit, as well as Chinese patent medicines made from them, should not be taken with sulfa drugs and baking soda.
Sulfa drugs require the concomitant use of baking soda to alkalize urine, in order to prevent the precipitation of sulfa drug metabolites in the urine, which can form urinary tract stones. However, organic acids can counteract the alkalizing effect of baking soda on urine, thereby increasing the nephrotoxicity of sulfa drugs.
3. Chinese herbs containing tannins and enzyme-based Western medicines
Gastric protease, pancreatic enzyme, and amylase are enzyme-based Western medicines that can promote the secretion of digestive juices, enhance gastrointestinal motility, and improve appetite.
Tannins in Chinese herbs such as diyu, pomegranate peel, gallnut, oldenlandia, and their preparations can bind to the amide or peptide bonds of enzyme drugs, forming stable hydrogen-bonded complexes, which can reduce or eliminate the efficacy of the enzymes.
【Toxic and side effects of the combination of Chinese and Western medicine】
Some Western medicines taken together with Chinese patent medicines can reduce the efficacy of the Chinese patent medicines. For example, Jianshenqu and Baohe pills, when taken with certain antibiotics, can reduce their effectiveness.
Taking Chinese patent medicines with certain Western medicines can cause toxic side effects. For example, various medicated wines should not be taken with metronidazole or loperamide, as it can cause ethanol poisoning and severe alcohol intoxication.
Chinese patent medicines containing cinnabar, such as Cizhu pills and Zhusha Anshen pills, should not be taken with mercuric bromide, as it can easily form soluble mercury salts, which can be absorbed and cause mercury poisoning.
Some Chinese patent medicines taken with Western medicines can have antagonistic effects. For example, Mihuan tablets and Tianma tablets, used to treat hyperactivity of liver yang, should not be taken with central nervous system stimulants.
Antitussive and asthma drugs containing ephedra should not be taken with loperamide or diphenoxylate, as it can cause high blood pressure. Gancao (licorice) extract should not be taken with hydrochlorothiazide or digitalis, as it can cause hypokalemia and digitalis toxicity.
Some Chinese patent medicines taken with certain Western medicines can undergo reactions in the gastrointestinal tract, affecting the absorption and efficacy of the Western medicines.
For example, Chinese patent medicines containing rhubarb (such as Niuhuang Jiedu pills) should not be taken with pancreatic enzyme preparations (gastric protease, pancreatic enzyme tablets, multienzyme tablets), as the Chinese patent medicines can adsorb or bind to the enzymes, affecting their activity.
【Basic principles of combining Chinese and Western medicine】
1. Space out the timing of medication
Taking Chinese and Western medicines at different times is a reliable method to avoid some incompatibilities. On the one hand, it can avoid certain physical and chemical reactions, and on the other hand, it can avoid certain pharmacological antagonistic effects.
2. Choose appropriate routes of administration
Using different routes of administration is also a common method to avoid incompatibilities between Chinese and Western medicine. For example, switching to intramuscular or intravenous administration of antibiotics can reduce the adsorption effect of carbonized Chinese herbs.
3. Avoid mixing Chinese and Western medicine injections
The "Basic Principles of Clinical Use of Chinese Medicine Injections" clearly states that Chinese medicine injections should not be mixed with other drugs.
4. Avoid duplication and excessive use of medications
Repeated use of medications is a common problem in the improper combination of Chinese and Western medicine. Combined use of compound Chinese patent medicines and Western medicines can lead to repeated use of medications and adverse reactions.
