Published Online, 2 August 2005, www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1G095a.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy: Vol. 39, No. 9, pp. 1580-1581. DOI 10.1345/aph.1G095a
© 2005 Harvey Whitney Books Company.
Comment: results of questionable relevance to homeopathy
June E Riedlinger, PharmD
Adjunct Associate Professor Clinical Pharmacy Massachusetts College
of Pharmacy & Health Sciences Boston, Massachusetts 2140 East Broadway
Road Tempe, Arizona 85282-1751 fax 480/858-0222
j.riedlinger{at}scnm.edu
Linda S Kim, ND
Medical Director Southwest College Research Institute Southwest
College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences Tempe,
Arizona
Robert F Waters, PhD
Chair Department of Research Southwest College of Naturopathic
Medicine & Health Sciences
Published Online, August 2, 2005. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1G095a
TO THE EDITOR: Classical homeopathy holds to strict rules of practice as
defined by Samuel
Hahnemann.1
We are aware of the strict definition of classical homeopathy and therefore
used "homeopathic preparation" in the title instead of
"homeopathic medicine." O'Mathúna and
Horgan's3
editorial makes reference to Fleisher and
McCarter,4
who criticize the use of isopathic products (isodes) because they are not
administered according "to the fundamental principles of homeopathy and
therefore would not be expected to work." Fleisher and McCarter's
criticism is specifically raised in the editorial concerning the work of
Lewith et
al.5 in which
a single allergen (dust mite) isode was the treatment drug. We would agree
with Fleisher and McCarter that Lewith et al.'s results may have been
compromised because specific symptoms of the subjects in his study were not
matched to the single homeopathic medicine used. Fleisher and McCarter's
comment does not specifically pertain to our study of a combination product of
11 homeopathically prepared trees, grasses, and weed pollens.
While the single, symptomatically matched homeopathic medicine is
considered to be the gold standard of practice by the majority of classical
homeopaths, isopathy has and continues to be used by many practitioners as
well as the public who can and do buy these products at pharmacies and health
food stores. In addition, combination homeopathic products constitute the
highest sales in the US retail homeopathic
market.6 The
presumption that homeopathic dilutions are effective only at ultramolecular
potencies (
12C or 24X), as O'Mathúna and Horgan imply, is not a
central concept of homeopathy, but only one of its more controversial possible
treatment options.
O'Mathúna and Horgan seem to have misunderstood our intent in
providing information regarding allopathic immunotherapy. It was not included
to imply a direct comparison of efficacy, but to discuss allopathic treatment
options, costs, and risks compared with a common homeopathic product available
at retail stores. The intent was to stimulate interest in performing studies
that test the efficacy of combination homeopathic products compared with
allopathic treatments, including immunotherapy. The 4 trials that we cited
were included to document that studies with isodes have been
conducted—not to imply that their study was a comparative trial. It
should be noted that the combination homeopathic product was not administered
intranasally, as O'Mathúna and Horgan stated, but sublingually as a
spray. We agree with O'Mathúna and Horgan's analysis of the statistical
methodology used in the study; our consideration of the analytical methods
used conforms to the existing literature on randomized controlled trials of
allergic rhinitis.
References
- Hahnemann S. Organon of medicine. 6th ed. Kunzli J,
Naudé A, Pendleton P (translation). Baline, WA: Cooper Publishing, 1982.
- Kim LS, Riedlinger JE, Baldwin CM, Hilli L, Khalsa SV, Messer SA,
et al. Treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis using homeopathic preparation
of common allergens in the southwest region of the US: a randomized,
controlled clinical trial. Ann Pharmacother 2005;39: 617-24.
Epub 1 Mar 2005. DOI 10.1345/aph.1E387[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- O'Mathúna DP, Horgan JM. Seasonal allergic rhinitis study
results of questionable relevance to homeopathy. Ann
Pharmacother 2005;39:736-8. Epub 1 Mar 2005. DOI10.1345/aph.1G095[Free Full Text]
- Fleisher MA, McCarter DF. Homeopathy or isopathy? (letter).J Fam Pract
2002;51:984, 986.
- Lewith GT, Watkins AD, Hyland ME, Shaw S, Broomfield JA, Dolan G,
et al. Use of ultramolecular potencies of allergen to treat asthmatic people
allergic to house dust mite: double blind randomised controlled clinical
trial. BMJ 2002;324:520.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Riedlinger J, Lennihan B. Homeopathic remedies. In: Berardi RR, ed.Handbook of nonprescription drugs: an interactive approach to
self-care. 13th ed.
Washington, DC: American Pharmaceutical
Association, 2002: 1101-29.
