Clinical Medications and Safety Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Post-Infection Cough

doi:10.19803/j.1672-8629.20250025

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To analyze the prescription patterns and safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating post-infection cough (PIC). Methods The clinical data of PIC cases treated in the Respiratory Department of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Third Affiliated Hospital between October 12, 2022 and May 22, 2024 was retrieved and screened. Frequency statistics, association rules, and complex network analyses were performed using the Ancient and Modern Medical Case Cloud Platform (V2.3.7) to investigate medication patterns, involving frequency, dosage, medicinal properties, herbal pair compatibility, and core prescriptions. The safety of these medications was evaluated via literature review. Results A total of 227 PIC patients were included, involving 365 medical records, 365 prescriptions, 146 herbs, and the total number of times herbal drugs were used was 5 915. Frequently-used herbs included Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Kuxingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. Medicinal properties were predominantly warm, neutral and cold, flavors were bitter, pungent, and sweet, and meridian tropisms focused on the lung, spleen, and stomach. Association rules identified 13 frequently-used herbal pairs-Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma)-WuweiZi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus) (co-occurrence count: 254) and Banxia-Kuxingren (249). The core prescription for PIC comprised 14 herbs: Banxia, Ganjiang, Kuxingren, Ziwan (Asteris Radix), Baibu (Stemonae Radix), Gancao, Baiqian (Cynanchi Stauntonii Rhizoma), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Yiyiren (Coicis Semen), Fuling (Poria), WuweiZi, Tinglizi (Descurainiae Semen), and Chantui (Cicadae Periostracum). Prescription dosages primarily ranged from 100 to 299 g (94.79%), with 15 to 19 herbs per prescription (76.16%). Safety evaluation indicated a low incidence of adverse reactions. Conclusion TCM treatments for PIC focus on resolving phlegm and suppressing cough while integrating strategies of dispersing, descending, astringing, draining, clearing, and tonifying. Its safety profile is favorable, and precise dosage control is critical to minimizing risks.

Key words: Post-Infection Cough, TCM Prescription Patterns, Ganjiang-WuweiZi, Dosage, Adverse Reactions, Complex Network Analysis

CLC Number:

R974
R994.11

XIE Ziyue, WANG Chengxiang, HU Yanpeng, LI Lei, CUI Herong. Clinical Medications and Safety Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Post-Infection Cough[J]. Chinese Journal of Pharmacovigilance, 2025, 22(5): 507-512.

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