Abstract: Objective To summarize ideas about pharmacovigilance documented in representative materia medica works of the Sui, Tang and the Five Dynasties based on ancient beliefs about pharmacovigilance—identification of toxicity, use of toxicity, protection against toxicity and detoxification in order to ensure the transmission of notions of pharmacovigilance related to traditional Chinese medicine. Methods Taking Newly Revised Materia Medica,Materia Medica Supplements,Dietetic Material Medica,Medicinal Properties,Rihuazi Materia Medica and Extrinsic Materia Medica as representative works of materia medica published during the Sui, Tang and the Five Dynasties, descriptions about pharmacovigilance in these books were retrieved for statistical analysis. Results The included masterpieces had a wealth of ideas about and countermeasures against pharmacovigilance, which contributed greatly to the refinement of toxicity classification, establishment and development of systems for food and drug contraindications, identification of sources of medicines, expansion of compatibility contraindications, contraindications among special populations, and detoxification via processing. Conclusion Sui, Tang and the Five Dynasties were important ages when perceptions of pharmacovigilance related to traditional Chinese medicine were fast accumulated. The pharmacovigilance-related theories formulated in this period were comparatively systematic, especially in terms of identification and prevention of toxicity. There were some innovative ideas about the use of toxicity, but the knowledge of detoxification was far from adequate.

Key words: Sui,Tang and the Five Dynasties, materia medica, pharmacovigilance, vigilance thought