We prospectively studied and compared the usefulness of
Kampo medicine (Sino-Japanese traditional herbal medicine) "
Toki-shakuyaku-san" and an oral
iron preparation in the treatment of
hypochromic anemia associated with uterine
myoma. The study subjects consisted of 25 patients who were diagnosed as having hypochromic mild to moderate
anemia associated with
menorrhagia attributable to uterine
myoma. They were divided into the
Toki-shakuyaku-san group (n = 10) and the oral
iron group (n = 15). We monitored the blood counts, subjective symptoms, and occurrence of side effects after
oral administration of either preparation for 4 and 8 weeks in these subjects. In regard to the blood counts and improvements of the laboratory parameters of
anemia, while marked improvement was observed in the oral
iron group, no significant improvement was noted in the
Toki-shakuyaku-san group. On the other hand, in terms of improvement of the signs and symptoms of
anemia, such as facial pallor, spoon-shaped nails and
dizziness, the latter group also showed significant improvement. In addition in the
Toki-shakuyaku-san group, resolution of symptoms such as
hypermenorrhea,
dysmenorrhea, feeling cold,
dizziness,
headache and shoulder stiffness was also noted. While side effects were encountered in 80.0% of patients in the oral
iron group, no significant side effects were observed in the
Toki-shakuyaku-san group. From these findings, it is considered that
Toki-shakuyaku-san may be useful for resolving the symptoms of mild or moderate
anemia associated with uterine
myoma.