Harm in homeopathy: aggravations, adverse drug events or medication errors?
BACKGROUND
The assessment of harm arising from the use of homeopathic medicine is much discussed, but there is little published data on the subject.


OBJECTIVE
To study prospectively adverse drug events related to homeopathic medicines.


METHODS
The data were gathered between 1 June 2003 and 30 June 2004 during follow-up visits consecutively carried out at the Homeopathic Clinic, Campo di Marte Hospital, Azienda USL 2, Lucca (Italy). They refer to effects following the administration of a homeopathic medicine, prescribed according to the classical homeopathic method.


METHODS
Reports collected by a homeopathic doctor (not the prescribing doctor) on the nature and intensity of the effect, dose and frequency of administration, time relationship between the drug use and the adverse events, challenge, unchallenge possible concomitant factors, causality (improbable, unlikely, possible, probable, certain).


RESULTS
Out of 335 homeopathic consecutive follow-up visits between 1 June 2003 and 30 June 2004, nine adverse reactions were reported (2.68%) including one case of allergy to lactose, excipient of the granules.


CONCLUSIONS
Adverse events to homeopathic drugs exist and are distinguishable from homeopathic aggravations, but are rare and not severe.
Endrizzi
C
C
Homeopathic Clinic, Reference Regional Centre, Campo di Marte Hospital, AUSL 2 Lucca, Italy.
Rossi
E
E
Crudeli
L
L
Garibaldi
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008419:Materia Medica / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D008419:Materia Medica