Misuse of corticosteroids in some of the drugs dispensed as preparations from alternative systems of medicine in India

Abstract

Screening for corticosteroids carried out on 120 samples of alternative medicines which were dispensed to patients suffering mainly from asthma, arthritis, etc., showed that 38.32% of them were adulterated with steroids. Most of these samples were submitted for screening by either a medical practitioner or the patients themselves, who suspected effects of steroids from these drugs. The percentage of steroid positivity was determined in ayurvedic drugs, homeopathic drugs, and unknown or other category of drugs. The presence of steroids in these drugs given for different ailments such as asthma, arthritis, and unknown/other ailments was also tabulated. The results show that a high percentage of these samples contained corticosteroids, however, the distribution of positivity amongst groups was not statistically significant. The lack of proper quality control mechanisms to verify ingredients or efficacy of 'alternative medicines' has led to the proliferation of the practice of dispensing spurious drugs containing corticosteroids as alternative medicines. This study aims to highlight the existence of 'quick fix' remedies dispensed as 'alternative medicines' which not only cause extensive adverse health effects to the patients but also bring alternative systems of medicines into disrepute. The deliberate contamination of corticosteroids with alternative systems of medicine by some practitioners is a cause of great concern. Such practices may not only disgrace alternative systems of medicine but may also lead to adverse side-effects on chronic exposure.

Does unconventional medicine work through conventional modes of action?

“…5,6 Screening for corticosteroids of 120 samples of alternative medicines dispensed to patients with mainly asthma or arthritis showed that 38.3% of these samples were adulterated with steroids. 5 Another study found dexamethasone in 8 of 11 creams investigated, with a mean concentration of 456 mg/g (roughly equivalent to 0.05% betamethasone valerate).…”

Anorectic sibutramine detected in a Chinese herbal drug for weight loss

“…The presence of these contaminants as well as adulteration with conventional pharmaceuticals can lead to acute or chronic toxicity, severe side effects and drug interactions [4,5]. Over the past several years, there have been many reports on adulterations of traditional herbal medicines by synthetic therapeutic substances [6][7][8][9][10].…”

A critical review of the possible benefits associated with homeopathic medicine

“…-There are documented cases in which homeopathic medications had been adulterated [69][70][71] . For instance, Kerr and Saryan 69 , in an analysis of homeopathic preparations in the United States, found arsenic in 2 out of 6 tested samples.…”

“…For instance, Kerr and Saryan 69 , in an analysis of homeopathic preparations in the United States, found arsenic in 2 out of 6 tested samples. Also, in a recent review 120 samples of "alternative medicine" medications (including homeopathy), Gupta et al 71 , in India, found that 38% of them were contaminated with corticosteroids. An older study in the United States 70 detected a similar proportion.…”