International Journal of Homoeopathic Sciences

Pharmacovigilance is the pharmacological science relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects, particularly long term and short term side effects of medicines. It is the science of collecting, monitoring, researching, assessing and evaluating information from healthcare providers and patients on the adverse effects of medications, with a view to identify new information about hazards associated with medicines and preventing harm to patients. The results confirm effectiveness of the drug in clinical practice. Present study helps to know the risk and benefits of drug as there is a belief that medicines are diluted in Homoeopathy and it will not produce any unwanted aggravation. Doses are responsible for cure as it depends upon susceptibility, potency, and repetition of doses. Hahnemann did much experimental research through clinical trial and concluded to minimize the quantity of dose for best results. Homoeopathy therapeutic dose is capable of only producing a slight temporary aggravation or intensification of already existing symptoms, never of producing new symptoms. Clinicians must aware of distinction between Homoeopathic aggravation and Adverse drug reaction and serve public health accordingly without any harm.

Methodology: An intense literature search was made using electronic data bases, hand searching, journals, web pages, reviewing bibliography resources, available publications, Major scientific databases namely Pubmed, Science Direct and Springer were searched. The search words used were Pharmacovigilance, Safety of AYUSH drugs, Adverse Drug action, Posology, Doses in Homoeopathy.

Results: Thirty studies were included in the review. Most of research is carried on placebo control studies and Homoeopathic aggravations. Some studies concluded the presence of adverse events but their effects are very transient. Studies revealed that dose depends upon susceptibility of patient. Apart from drug adverse events studies showed light on different things like study of drug in different potencies and their effectiveness in different doses and these also should be validated scientifically and accepted by scientific fraternity.

Conclusion: Considering the importance of dose and there effect which may produce aggravation or adverse events which may be serious or transient, future research should focus on pharmacovigilance to aware clinicians on its risks and advise their patients accordingly.