Efficacy and Safety of Daikenchuto for Constipation and Dose-Dependent Differences in Clinical Effects

• Main Authors: Tatsuya Hirose, Yasutaka Shinoda, Ayaka Kuroda, Aya Yoshida, Machiko Mitsuoka, Kouki Mori, Yuki Kawachi, Akihiro Moriya, Kouji Tanaka, Atsuko Takeda, Tomoaki Yoshimura, Tadashi Sugiyama
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2018-01-01
• Series: International Journal of Chronic Diseases
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/1296717

Background. Daikenchuto (DKT) is a Kampo medicine used for the treatment of constipation. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of DKT against constipation. Patients and Methods. Thirty-three patients administered DKT for constipation were selected and divided into low-dose (7.5 g DKT; n=22) and high-dose (15 g DKT; n=11) groups. We retrospectively evaluated weekly defaecation frequency, side effects, and clinical laboratory data. Results. Median defaecation frequencies after DKT administration (5, 5.5, 5, and 8 for the first, second, third, and fourth weeks, resp.) were significantly higher than that before DKT administration (2) in all 33 cases (P<0.01). One case (3%) of watery stool, one case of loose stools (3%), and no cases of abdominal pain (0%) were observed. Median defaecation frequencies in the high-dose group (7 and 9) were significantly higher than those in the low-dose group (4 and 3) in the first (P=0.0133) and second (P=0.0101) weeks, respectively. There was no significant change in clinical laboratory values. Conclusion. We suggest that DKT increases defaecation frequency and is safe for treating constipation.