This Issue’s Pharmacist
Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital (Pharmacy Department)
Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacist – Liang Qian
In the previous video, we detailed the characteristics of powdered Chinese medicine forms, including their advantages, disadvantages, and suitable user groups. In this issue, we will introduce the pill form in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Pills are a common dosage form in daily life. So, do you really understand how to take pills? Let’s find out!Pills refer to raw medicinal substances combined with appropriate excipients to form solid preparations that are spherical or similar in shape.Pills can be classified in two ways:1. By excipient type, they can be divided into: water pills, honey pills, water-honey pills, concentrated pills, paste pills, wax pills, etc.2. By preparation method, they can be divided into: pan pills, plastic pills, drop pills, etc.It is worth mentioning that micro-pills are solid forms with a diameter of about 1.0 mm and not exceeding 2.5 mm, which can be encapsulated, compressed into tablets, or made into other preparations.PART.1
Advantages of Pills
1 Pills have a long-lasting effect, can mask unpleasant odors, and are convenient to take;
2 Pills are easy to carry and store;
3 Traditional pills dissolve and release medicine slowly, which can prolong efficacy, reduce toxicity and irritation, and minimize adverse reactions, making them suitable for chronic disease treatment or post-illness recovery of Qi and blood;
4 Drugs that are heat-sensitive, difficult to dissolve in water, or volatile, and have high toxicity are mostly suitable for making pills;
5 Different types of pills have varying rates of drug release and action.
PART.2
Disadvantages of Pills
1. The fixed dosage form of pills cannot be flexibly adjusted according to changes in the condition, so they are often made from established formulas;
2. Raw powders used in pills can easily become contaminated with microorganisms, making it difficult for the final product to meet national hygiene standards;
3. The larger dosage of pills can make it difficult for children to take;
4. Improper production operations can easily affect the dissolution of pills.
In choosing a dosage form of Chinese medicine, the following situations are particularly suitable for taking pills:
1 Patients with long-term physical weakness or illness, suitable for prolonged treatment, can opt for pills;
2 Conditions such as blood stasis, masses, or edema that are difficult to treat with decoctions can be treated with pills;
3 Toxic drugs that are difficult to prepare as decoctions can be taken in pill form;
4 Certain drugs like borneol and musk that are not suitable for decoction can be made into pills;
5 Pills are commonly used for chronic diseases, especially for conditions like accumulation, such as Mo Ji Wan (Milling Accumulation Pills), but there are also pills for acute conditions that can be dissolved in water or taken with water, such as An Gong Niu Huang Wan (Calm the Palace Pill with Cattle Gallstone).
END