Patient reports of the medication for which advice was given by acupuncturists and adverse consequences (n = 103)
| Number advised to reduce or stop medication | Number advised to stop medication | Number who also discussed advice with their GP or hospital specialist | Number with an adverse event | Key symptoms of adverse events | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antidepressants | 24 | 8 (33%) | 16 (67%) | 3 | Increased anxiety |
| Increased depression | |||||
| “Withdrawal symptoms” | |||||
| Steroids: prednisolone | 5 | 0 | 3 | ||
| Steroid inhaler | 6 | 0 | 4 | ||
| Hydrocortisone | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Skin cracking |
| Total corticosteroids | 12 | 1 (8%) | 8 (67%) | ||
| NSAIDs | 11 | 2 (18%) | 6 (55%) | ||
| Oral contraceptives | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||
| HRT | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Hot flushes |
| Hormone treatment for acne | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Thyroxine | 3 | 1 | 3 | ||
| Total hormonal drugs | 10 | 7 (70%) | 7 (70%) | ||
| Analgesics | 7 | 1 (14%) | 3 (43%) | ||
| Antihistamines | 5 | 3 (60%) | 2 (40%) | ||
| Beta blockers | 4 | 1 (25%) | 3 (75%) | ||
| Antimigraine | 4 | 2 (50%) | 1 (25%) | ||
| Proton pump inhibitors | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Antibiotics | 2 | 1 | 2 | ||
| ACE inhibitors | 2 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Antispasmodic | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Laxative | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Bronchodilator | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Miscellaneous | 13 | 5 | 6 | ||
| Total “other” | 25 | 10 (40%) | 13 (52%) | ||
| Unknown medication | 1 | 1 | Worsening of chronic fatigue syndrome | ||
| Total | 103 | 36 (35%) | 60 (58%) |