The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point
  • About this web log

    This blog ran from 2006 to 2016 and was intended as an objective and dispassionate source of information on the latest CAM research. Since my background is in pharmacy and allopathic medicine, I view all CAM as advancing through the development pipeline to eventually become integrated into mainstream medical practice. Some will succeed while others fail. But all are treated fairly here.

  • About the author

    John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

  • Common sense considerations

    The material on this weblog is for informational purposes. It is not medical advice or counsel. Be smart, consult your health professional before using CAM.

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  • Recent Comments

    A review of suxiao jiuxin wan as treatment for angina pectoris

    Suxiao jiuxin wan is a mixture of herbs that is used in China along with western medicine to treat angina.

    This Cochrane review concluded that the evidence does not support its use.

    Based on the results of 15 studies in 1776 patients, here’s what was found.

    Compared to nitroglycerin, there was weak evidence that suxiao jiuxin did any of the following:

    • Improved heart rate and rhythm
    • Improved symptoms
    • Reduced the frequency of acute attacks of angina
    • Reduced diastolic pressure (the lower blood pressure number)
    • Reduced the need for supplementary nitroglycerin

    Compared with danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), there was weak evidence that suxiao jiuxin improved any of the following:

    • Improved symptoms
    • Improved heart rate and rhythm

    Compared to isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil), there was no difference in the following:

    • Heart rate and rhythm
    • Symptom improvement

    The bottom line?
    Suxiao jiuxin appears to be safe, but based on the available evidence its contribution to the treatment angina pectoris is uncertain.

    2/5/08 10:39 JR

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