title: The safety-influencing factors in use of the tonics of Chinese medicine: a meta-analysis based on the case reports in periodicals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the possible safety-influencing factors in use of the tonics of Chinese medicine.
  
  
  METHODS
  The related case reports published in periodicals published from 1949 to 2006 were analyzed with the bibliometrics method. Possibility on safety assessment of Chinese materia medica was discussed as well with the method of link analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total number of the tonics selected for the present study was 101, including 44 single drugs and 46 set prescriptions with adverse drug reactions (ADR) found in these tonics. It was found that ADR of 10 single drugs and 29 preparations were not specified in authoritative Chinese materia medica monographs. Among all the set prescriptions, the problem of injection has been standing on the top. Statistical analysis on single factor demonstrates that the most frequently referred ADR come from drug abuse (accounting for 29.20%), and overdose (24.54%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The safety problem of injection remains in a trend of robust growth at least for a period of time, thus reappraisal of the safety issue for the tonics of injection is imperative. It is essential for the public to take doctor's advice to guarantee safe administration of the tonics, especially for the patients with allergic constitution or those suffering from the liver and heart diseases.
authors: Institute of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing 100700, China.
authors: Jing
authors: J
authors: Yu
authors: Meng
authors: M
authors: Cui
authors: Hai-Yan
authors: HY
authors: Li
authors: Zu-Guang
authors: ZG
authors: Ye
mesh_terms: D015706:Bibliometrics; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional