title: Oscillococcinum for influenza treatment.
abstract: The use of a complementary medicine approach, and specifically of the popular medicine Oscillococcinum, for the treatment of influenza-like syndromes remains controversial. This brief paper analyses the currently available literature on this homeopathic preparation and the Cochrane Collaboration's 2006 systematic review, along with other recent studies, in order to clarify certain fundamental aspects of its use in the treatment of influenza. In the light of the reported findings, and applying the rigorous criteria of evidence-based medicine, we suggest that this medicine should be placed in category "BI".
authors.affiliation: Laboratoires Boiron, Segrate, Milan, Italy. luigi.marrari@boiron.it
authors.forename: Luigi Alberto
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Marrari
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Terzan
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chaufferin
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D045424:Complex Mixtures / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004372:Ducks; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy; D006705:Homeopathy; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000737:chemistry; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014020:Tissue Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D045424:Complex Mixtures; D014020:Tissue Extracts