Bovine bezoar, also known as cow bezoar, is a gallstone found in cattle, such as yellow cattle or water buffalo. It is characterized by its bitter and cold properties. It belongs to the liver and heart meridians and functions to relieve wind and spasms, dissolve phlegm and open the orifices, and clear heat and detoxify. It is used for conditions such as high fever and delirium in warm diseases and convulsions in children; dizziness, aphasia, and phlegm noises caused by phlegm-heat obstructing the heart orifice; and sore throat, ulceration, and abscesses caused by heat-toxicity stasis.
Contraindications of Chinese patent medicines containing bovine bezoar
Chinese patent medicines containing bovine bezoar include Niuhuang Shangqing Pill (tablets), Niuhuang Qianjin Powder, Niuhuang Jiangya Pill, and Niuhuang Shangqing Pill, among others. Most of these medicines are cold in nature and should not be used in cases of external wind-cold invasion, internal cold damage, or spleen and stomach deficiency-cold. They are mostly bitter and cold, which can damage the spleen and stomach and are not suitable for long-term use in chronic digestive system diseases such as chronic enteritis. They have significant and long-lasting effects on lowering blood pressure and regulating irregular heart rhythm, so they are not suitable for long-term use in patients with low blood pressure. They have a significant sedative effect, so they should be used with caution in infants, young children, and the elderly. Chinese patent medicines containing bovine bezoar are mostly aromatic and have the potential to cause miscarriage, so they should not be used in large quantities or for a long time in pregnant women or those at risk of miscarriage. Athletes should use them with caution.
Drug interactions with Chinese patent medicines containing bovine bezoar
Bovine bezoar can antagonize the pressor effect of adrenaline, so they should not be used together. Atropine can counteract the hypotensive effect of bovine bezoar, so they should not be used together. They should not be used with cardiac glycosides. Artificial bovine bezoar is rich in calcium ions. When used in combination with cardiac glycosides, it can have a synergistic effect, enhancing myocardial contractility and possibly leading to arrhythmias and conduction blocks. They should not be used with central nervous system depressants. Artificial bovine bezoar contains bilirubin, bile acids, and calcium ions, which, when used in combination with central nervous system depressants such as chloral hydrate, morphine, phenobarbital, diazepam, sedatives, and anesthetics, can enhance central nervous system depression and potentially cause acute poisoning, such as drowsiness, respiratory depression, and hypotension. The bile acids in artificial bovine bezoar can acidify urine, promote the formation of crystals of sulfonamide drugs in renal tubules, and damage the epithelial cells of renal tubules and urethra, leading to crystalluria, hematuria, urinary retention, and renal damage. Aminoglycoside drugs have strong antibacterial activity in alkaline urine, while the acidic components in bovine bezoar can acidify urine, leading to a decrease in their antibacterial effect.
Bovine bezoar itself is a gallstone from cattle and is rich in metal ions such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. Especially when combined with mineral medicinal ingredients containing metal ions, such as cinnabar, calcitum, gypsum, realgar, and haematitum, the metal ions in these mineral medicinal ingredients can form insoluble complexes with macrolide antibiotics, quinidine, isoniazid, quinolones, and tetracyclines, affecting their efficacy.
