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Homœopathic Links 2022; 35(02): 101-108
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1755380
Original Article

A Pre-Post Interventional Study for Evaluating the Usefulness of Homoeopathic Medicine Nux vomica to Combat the Side Effects of Liposomal Amphotericin B Injection in the Cases of Mucormycosis

Moumita Chakraborty 
1   Homoeopathic Unit, Dte. of AYUSH, Delhi, India
,
Purnima Rani
1   Homoeopathic Unit, Dte. of AYUSH, Delhi, India
,
Neelima Gupta 
2   Department of ENT, UCMS and GTB Hospital, GNCTD, Delhi, India
,
Nidhi Saxena
3   Dr. B.R. Sur Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Delhi, India
› Author Affiliations Funding We received no funding for the study.
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Abstract

Introduction India reported a recent surge in mucormycosis cases, after outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019. Treatment for this entity is multifaceted and involves surgical debridement of affected tissues and antifungal treatment. In current practice, amphotericin B and isavuconazole are the two antifungal agents recommended for the primary therapy of mucormycosis. Possible side effects of liposomal form of amphotericin B (LAmB) include fever, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and headache after the infusion is started. Nux vomica is a homoeopathic medicine and is one of the best remedies with which to commence treatment of cases that have been drugged by mixtures, bitters, vegetable pills but only if symptoms correspond. The aim of this study was to observe the effectiveness of homoeopathic medicine Nux vomica to combat the side effects of LAmB injection in the cases of mucormycosis.

Methods Total 55 diagnosed cases of mucormycosis, admitted in the Tertiary Care Centre (Govt. of Delhi), were enrolled in the study as per inclusion criteria. After reportorial analysis, Nux vomica 30C was given to the patients from 2nd day of administration of LAmB. Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale was used to assess the improvement in the cases by comparing the scores obtained before and after the treatment.

Result Out of 55 cases, 42 showed marked improvement from 7th day onwards after administration of Nux vomica 30C. Result was analysed by using one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey Honest Significant Difference and was found statistically significant at 5% level of significance.

Conclusion This study indicates that Nux vomica is possibly a useful medicine to combat the side effects of LAmB injection in the cases of mucormycosis. Nux vomica helped to improve the condition of the patients and enabled them to continue the required conventional treatment for their speedy recovery. More studies are required for further validation.

Keywords

mucormycosis - post-COVID-19 - amphotericin - Nux vomica - homoeopathy

Ethical Consideration

In this study, no new drug was experimented on nor was any new treatment protocol adopted. Intervention was strict accordance with homoeopathic principles. Prior to enrolment, each patient was provided with a patient information sheet in local vernacular language, detailing the objectives, risks and benefits of participating, also about maintaining confidentiality of their identity. Written informed consent was also obtained. However, the patient was free to withdraw from the study at any time. Approval was obtained from the concerned authority of the Tertiary Care Centre. The study conformed to the declaration of Helsinki for ethical conduct on human experimentation.


Authors' Contribution

M.C. and P.R. contributed to the concept, data interpretation, statistical analysis and preparation of the article. N.G. contributed in conduction of the study and N.S. contributed to data acquisition and literature search for the article.




Publication History

Article published online:
07 September 2022

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