The main ingredients of Liushen Pill are bezoar, musk, toad venom, realgar, borneol, and pearl, which have the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. It is commonly used for sore throat, tonsillitis, oral ulceration, gingivitis, as well as carbuncles, boils, and unknown swellings and pains.
In recent years, through pharmacological research, it has been found that Liushen Pill also has effects such as strengthening the heart, anti-convulsion, and sedation, so its usage has been expanded to the treatment of diseases in various specialties including internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, ophthalmology, and dermatology. However, if Liushen Pill is abused, it can easily lead to adverse reactions, and in severe cases, it can be life-threatening, so it should be taken seriously.
Choosing the appropriate indications is crucial
Liushen Pill is mainly used to treat sore throat, mastitis, laryngeal cancer, laryngeal paralysis, breast abscess, painful ulcers, abscesses, unknown swellings and toxins, oral ulceration, childhood boils, vocal cord polyps, toothache, and epidemic parotitis. In recent years, it has also been used to treat various types of leukemia and throat cancer. It should not be used if the lung is constrained by external pathogenic factors causing fever, or in cases of liver and kidney yin deficiency with exuberant fire, or when there is liver qi stagnation causing throat pain. It should also not be used in cases of qi and blood deficiency, weak spleen and stomach, even if there are signs of heat toxicity. It should not be externally applied to suppurative ulcers and carbuncles.
Be cautious with combination therapy
1. Co-administration with digoxin can lead to digitoxin-like poisoning, causing bradycardia and arrhythmias. 2. Liushen Pill has the effect of inhibiting digestive enzymes, so it should not be used in combination with digestive enzymes such as multi-enzyme tablets, gastric pepsin, and amylase, as it can reduce or even nullify the efficacy of these enzymes. 3. Sulfates can oxidize the arsenic sulfide in realgar, increasing its toxic reactions, so Liushen Pill should not be taken with sulfates (such as atropine sulfate, ferrous sulfate, etc.). 4. Huasu tablets containing iodine should not be taken together with Liushen Pill containing cinnabar, as the divalent mercury in cinnabar can combine with iodine to form toxic mercuric iodide precipitate, which can cause drug-induced enteritis.
Strictly adhere to the dosage and administration
Each Liushen Pill is about 70 milligrams. For children, one pill should be taken at one year old, two pills at two years old, 3-4 pills at three years old, 5-6 pills at 4-8 years old, 8 pills at 9-15 years old, and 10 pills for adults, all taken twice daily. When used to treat oral and throat diseases, the pills should be dissolved in the mouth and then washed down with warm water. For external use, take 10 pills and dissolve them in warm water or a little rice vinegar to make a paste, and apply it to the affected area several times a day.
Remember the toxic side effects
The main ingredients of Liushen Pill, toad venom and realgar, are highly toxic. If taken in excess, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, numbness of lips and limbs, palpitations, and sweating can occur within 30 minutes to two hours. In severe cases, there can be arrhythmias, hypotension, drowsiness, convulsions, shock, and even death. The realgar in Liushen Pill is an arsenic compound, and long-term or excessive use can cause chronic arsenic poisoning, leading to liver and kidney damage, severe skin keratinization, cracking, and pigmentation. Especially in infants whose organ functions are not fully developed and whose delicate viscera are particularly sensitive to the toxicity of the drug, poisoning can occur more easily. Therefore, it is best not to give Liushen Pill to infants, and caution should be exercised in children over one year old. If it is necessary to take Liushen Pill, it should be done under medical advice, and parents should not give it to their children without authorization to avoid accidents.
Special populations should avoid use
Liushen Pill has remarkable efficacy, but it is not suitable for everyone. Liushen Pill contains ingredients such as musk and realgar. Musk can cause uterine contractions, leading to miscarriage or premature birth, so it is contraindicated in pregnant women. Liushen Pill contains toad venom, and its active ingredient is toad toxin. Overdose can cause poisoning, so it should be used with caution in infants under two years old and is contraindicated in newborns. Some individuals may experience allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock when taking Liushen Pill. Immediate rescue measures are required in such cases, as it can be life-threatening.
Be vigilant for allergic reactions
Liushen Pill can also cause allergic reactions, both when taken internally and when applied externally. Most allergic reactions from Liushen Pill occur within 24 hours after administration, manifesting as drug rashes, which are irregular in shape and intensely itchy. Some allergic individuals may experience laryngeal edema, and in severe cases, anaphylactic shock may occur, requiring immediate rescue measures.
