Pneumonitis Due to Oren-gedoku-to (Coptis Detoxifying Decoction)

Intern Med. 2019;58(20):3019-3023. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.2586-18. Epub 2019 Oct 15.

Abstract

A 54-year-old man started to take oren-gedoku-to (coptis detoxifying decoction) because he was experiencing chronic hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia. He developed a high fever from the day of intake. At day 17, he stopped taking oren-gedoku-to because of malaise and chills, and he was admitted to our hospital. Drug-induced pneumonitis was suspected, and all drugs were stopped. Consequently, his symptoms, laboratory data and chest X-ray findings markedly improved. The results of a lymphocyte stimulation test were positive for oren-gedoku-to and one of its components, ougon (Baikal skullcap). Based on these findings, we diagnosed him with pneumonitis caused by ougon.

Keywords: Ougon; drug-induced pneumonitis; lymphocyte stimulation test; oren-gedoku-to.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Coptis
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumonia / chemically induced*

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • oren gedoku to