Chinese Patent Medicines Commonly Used by Lung Cancer Patients

This article introduces some Chinese patent medicines commonly used by lung cancer patients. Many of these medicines are hard to dose accurately in clinical use and are inconvenient to prepare as decoctions; making them into patent medicines is more scientific and can serve as a supplement to decoctions. Kanglaite Injection. This is coix seed oil for injection, with anti-cancer effects; its TCM clinical action is to boost qi and nourish yin, and to dissipate stasis and disperse nodules. It is suitable for patients with inoperable primary small-cell lung cancer and primary liver cancer presenting as dual deficiency of qi and yin with spleen deficiency and dampness encumbrance; patients who develop similar symptoms after radiotherapy and chemotherapy may also use it to reduce side effects. Elemene Injection. This is Curcuma aromatica (ezhu) oil for injection, with anti-cancer effects; it is suitable for patients with pleural effusion, ascites, pericardial effusion, or radiation pneumonitis; use with caution in patients with a bleeding tendency. Huachansu Injection / Tablets. This is mainly a purified extract of dried toad skin, with anti-cancer effects; its actions are to clear heat and resolve toxin, reduce swelling and stop pain, and resolve stasis and disperse nodules. It is especially suitable for patients with lymph node metastasis and liver metastasis, but should be used with caution in patients with abnormal cardiac function, because it has a cardiac-stimulating effect and may trigger cardiovascular events. Aidi Injection. Its ingredients are Mylabris (banmao), Ginseng (renshen), Astragalus (Huangqi), and Acanthopanax (ciwu jia). Its main actions are to clear heat and resolve toxin, and to dissipate stasis and disperse nodules. It can be used for primary lung cancer, liver cancer, rectal cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, malignant lymphoma, gynecological malignancies, and urinary tract tumors, as well as for consolidation therapy after surgery for various tumors. It can be combined with chemotherapy drugs to enhance efficacy and protect bone marrow hematopoietic capacity. Compound Kushen Injection. Its ingredients are Sophorae flavescentis root (Kushen) and Poria (Fuling). It can be used to treat pleural effusion in lung cancer patients and to relieve mild to moderate cancer pain in lung cancer patients; it has a clear anti-cancer effect. Xiaoaiping Injection / Tablets / Capsules. This is an extract of Uraria (wugu teng). Its main actions are to clear heat and resolve toxin, and to resolve phlegm and soften hardness. It can be used for lung cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and liver cancer. Kangai Injection. Its ingredients are Ginseng (renshen), Astragalus (Huangqi), and matrine. Its main actions are to boost qi and support the righteous, and to enhance immune function. It can be used for primary liver cancer, lung cancer, rectal cancer, malignant lymphoma, gynecological malignancies, leukopenia, and also for hepatitis B. Brucea javanica Oil Emulsion Injection / Oral Liquid. This is an extract of Brucea javanica (yadan zi), mainly used for lung cancer, brain metastasis of lung cancer, and digestive tract tumors. Brucea javanica is extremely bitter, so using the patent medicine form is better. Disodium Cantharidinate and Vitamin B6 Injection. This combines the active principle of Mylabris (banmao)—disodium cantharidinate—with vitamin B6. It has anti-tumor and white-blood-cell-raising actions; Mylabris is one of the Chinese herbs with the clearest anti-tumor effect. It can be used for advanced lung cancer and liver cancer and can appropriately prolong patient survival. Yifei Qinghua Granules / Paste. Its ingredients include Astragalus (Huangqi), Codonopsis (Dangshen), Oldenlandia (Baihua Sheshecao), Glehnia (Beishashen), Ophiopogon (Maidong), Patrinia (Baijiang cao), Agrimonia (Xianhe cao), and others. It is a common adjunct for patients with advanced lung cancer, tried in middle-to-advanced lung cancer with dual deficiency of qi and yin and yin deficiency with internal heat; it boosts qi and nourishes yin, clears heat and resolves toxin, and resolves phlegm and stops cough. It may be chosen when lung cancer patients have shortness of breath, fatigue, cough, hemoptysis, or chest pain. Shelian Capsules. Its ingredients are Sophorae root (Kushen), Sophorae tonkinensis (Shan dou gen), Scutellaria barbata (Banzhilian), Stephania (Fangji), Sparganium (Sanleng), Curcuma zedoaria (Ezhu), Psoralea (Buguzhi), and others. Its main actions are to clear heat and resolve toxin, activate blood and resolve stasis, and soften hardness and disperse nodules. It can be used for middle-to-advanced lung cancer, gastric cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and liver cancer caused by qi-blood stasis and internal binding of heat toxin. It suits patients with a yellow greasy tongue coating, irritability, abdominal distension, and pain. Pingxiao Capsules. Its ingredients include Curcuma aromatica (Yujin), Agrimonia (Xianhe cao), Trogopterus (Wulingzhi), alum (Bai fan), saltpeter (Xiao shi), dried lacquer (Gan qi), Aurantium (Zhiqiao), and processed Strychnos (Maqianzi) powder. Its main actions are to activate blood and resolve stasis, stop pain and disperse nodules, and clear heat and resolve toxin; it can be used for lung cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, gastric cancer, and esophageal cancer. Because processed Strychnos powder is toxic, poisoning mainly causes neurotoxic reactions such as hand tremor; patients who develop such symptoms while taking it should reduce the dose or stop. Compound Mylabris Capsules. Its ingredients are Mylabris (banmao), Ginseng (renshen), Astragalus (Huangqi), Acanthopanax (ciwu jia), Sparganium (Sanleng), Curcuma zedoaria (Ezhu), Scutellaria barbata (Banzhilian), Cornus (Shanzhuyu), Ligustrum (Nüzhenzi), bear bile powder (Xiongdan fen), and Licorice (Gancao). Its main actions are to break blood and resolve stasis, and to attack toxin and erode sores. It can be used for primary liver cancer, lung cancer, rectal cancer, malignant lymphoma, and gynecological malignancies. Diabetic patients should use it with caution. Jinfukang Oral Liquid. This is a patent medicine made from a famous formula by Professor Liu Jiaxiang of Shanghai; its main ingredients include Astragalus (Huangqi), Glehnia (Beishashen), Ophiopogon (Maidong), Ligustrum (Nüzhenzi), Epimedium (Yinyanghuo), Selaginella (Shishangbai), Salvia chinensis (Shijianchuan), and Paris (Chonglou). It boosts qi and nourishes yin, tonifies the kidney and supports the righteous, and clears heat and resolves toxin. Hechan Tablets. Its ingredients are Agrimonia (Xianhe cao), dried toad skin (Gancanpi), Ranunculus ternatus (Maoyuancao), Fritillaria thunbergii (Zhe Beimu), unprocessed Pinellia (Sheng Banxia), Houttuynia (Yuxingcao), and others. Its actions are to resolve toxin and eliminate phlegm, cool blood and dispel stasis, and resolve cancer and disperse nodules. It has some effect on primary bronchogenic carcinoma, pulmonary metastatic cancer, laryngeal cancer, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Side effects include gastrointestinal discomfort and drug-induced cardiovascular disease. Ankangxin Capsules. Its ingredients are more than twenty herbs including Astragalus (Huangqi), Ginseng (renshen), Salvia (Danshen), Ganoderma (Lingzhi), Sophorae tonkinensis (Shan dou gen), young leaves (Ruoye), Psoralea (Buguzhi), Spatholobus (Jixue teng), Scutellaria barbata (Banzhilian), and Epimedium (Yinyanghuo). Its actions are to support the righteous and secure the root, soften hardness and disperse nodules, clear heat and resolve toxin, and activate blood and resolve stasis; it can be used for lung cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, rectal cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, breast cancer, cervical cancer, lymphoma, bladder cancer, and leukemia. Qingfei Sanjie Pills. Its ingredients are Ganoderma (Lingzhi), Cordyceps (Dongchong xiacao), Asini Corii Colla (Ejiao), Pearl (Zhenzhu), Cow-bezoar (Niuhuang), and Gynostemma (Jiaogulan). Its actions are to clear the lung and disperse nodules, activate blood and stop pain, and resolve toxin and transform phlegm. Shenchan Xiaojie Capsules. Ginseng (renshen), realgar (Xionghuang), toad venom (Chansu), Saffron (Xihonghua), cow-bezoar (Niuhuang), and Musk (Shexiang). Its actions are to resolve stasis and toxin, and to open phlegm and regulate qi, reduce swelling and stop pain. It can be used for lung cancer, gastric cancer, and esophageal cancer. Zilongjin Tablets. Its main ingredients are Astragalus (Huangqi), Angelica (Danggui), Solanum lyratum (Baiying), and Solanum nigrum (Longkui). Its actions are to boost qi and nourish blood, clear heat and resolve toxin, and regulate qi and resolve phlegm. It is an adjunct during chemotherapy for lung cancer patients with dual deficiency of qi and blood complicated by stasis-heat. Compound Wannianqing Capsules. Its main ingredients are Ornithogalum caudatum (Huyan Wannianqing), Scutellaria barbata (Banzhilian), Polygonum cuspidatum (Huzhang), Curcuma aromatica (Yujin), Oldenlandia (Baihua Sheshecao), Ginseng (renshen), Salvia (Danshen), Astragalus (Huangqi), Scorpion (Quanxie), and Centipede (Wugong). Its actions are to resolve toxin and fight cancer, activate blood and resolve stasis, and support the righteous and secure the root; it can be used for lung cancer, gastric cancer, and liver cancer.

Chinese patent medicines for treating cough. Tongxuan Lifei Pills. Its main ingredients are Perilla leaf (Zisuye), Peucedanum (Qianhu), Platycodon (Jiegeng), Apricot kernel (Xingren), Ephedra (Mahuang), Licorice (Gancao), Tangerine peel (Chenpi), Pinellia (Banxia), Poria (Fuling), Aurantium (Zhiqiao), Scutellaria (Huangqin), and others. Its action is to diffuse the lung and stop cough. Jizhi Syrup. Its main ingredients are Houttuynia (Yuxingcao), Fagopyrum dibotrys (Jin Qiaomai), Ilex purpurea (Sijiqing), Ephedra (Mahuang), Peucedanum (Qianhu), and Aurantium (Zhiqiao). It is used for acute bronchitis and post-cold cough presenting as fever, aversion to cold, fullness in the chest and diaphragm, cough, and sore throat; and for acute bronchitis and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis with the above signs. Jinguo Drink. Rehmannia (Dihuang), Scrophularia (Xuanshen), Ophiopogon (Maidong), Adenophora (Nanshashen), Pseudostellaria (Taizishen), and other ingredients. It nourishes yin and generates fluids, clears heat and soothes the throat, and moistens the lung to restore the voice. Qiangli Pipalu. Its main ingredients are Loquat leaf (Pipa ye), Poppy husk (Yingsu qiao), Stemona (Baibu), Cynanchum stauntonii (Baiqian), Platycodon (Jiegeng), and Menthol (Bohenao). It nourishes yin and astringes the lung, and stops cough and expels phlegm; used for bronchitic cough. Zhike Juhong Oral Liquid. Its main ingredients are Exocarpium Citri Rubrum (Juhong), Tangerine peel (Chenpi), processed Pinellia (Fa Banxia), Poria (Fuling), Tussilago (Kuandonghua), Licorice (Gancao), Trichosanthes peel (Gualou pi), Aster (Ziwan), Ophiopogon (Maidong), Anemarrhena (Zhimu), Platycodon (Jiegeng), Rehmannia (Dihuang), Gypsum (Shigao), bitter Apricot kernel (peeled and stir-fried), and Perilla seed (stir-fried). Its actions are to clear the lung, stop cough, and resolve phlegm; used for cough with abundant phlegm caused by phlegm-heat obstructing the lung, with chest fullness, shortness of breath, dry throat, and itchy throat. Yangyin Qingfei Pills. Its main ingredients are Scrophularia (Xuanshen), unprocessed Rehmannia (Shengdi), Ophiopogon (Maidong), White Peony (Baishao), Fritillaria cirrhosa (Chuan Bei), Moutan (Mudanpi), and Menthol (Bohe). Its actions are to nourish lung yin, clear lung dryness, stop cough, and resolve phlegm. Shenhe Pingchuan Capsules. Its main ingredients are Dracocephalum (Yiyeqing), American Ginseng (Xiyangshen), Gecko (Gejie), and Tangerine peel (Chenpi). Its actions are to tonify and nourish the lung and kidney, and to grasp qi and calm panting; used for insufficiency of lung and kidney with wheezing, cough, abundant phlegm, panting and fatigue on exertion, and sore and weak loins and knees.

Medicines for phlegm and cough. Guilong Chuankening Capsules. Its main ingredients are Cinnamon twig (Guizhi), Os Draconis (Longgu), White Peony (Baishao), Ginger (Shengjiang), Jujube (Dazao), honey-fried Licorice (Zhi Gancao), Oyster shell (Muli), Coptis (Huanglian), processed Pinellia (Fa Banxia), Trichosanthes peel (Gualou pi), and bitter Apricot kernel (Kuxingren). Its actions are to stop cough and resolve phlegm, and to downbear qi and calm panting; used for cough, panting, and excessive phlegm caused by external contraction of wind-cold with phlegm-dampness obstructing the lung, and for acute and chronic bronchitis with the above signs. Compound Fresh Bamboo Sap. Fresh bamboo sap (Zhuli), Houttuynia (Yuxingcao), unprocessed Pinellia (Sheng Banxia), Ginger (Shengjiang), Loquat leaf (Pipa ye), and Platycodon (Jiegeng). Actions and indications: clears heat and resolves phlegm, stops cough; used for phlegm-heat cough with yellow, sticky phlegm. Tanreqing Injection. Its main ingredients are Scutellaria (Huangqin), bear bile powder (Xiongdan fen), goat horn (Shanyang jiao), Honeysuckle (Jinyinhua), and Forsythia (Lianqiao). It may be used when lung cancer patients present with fever, cough, difficult expectoration, thirst, a red tongue, and a yellow coating. Medicines for hemoptysis. Yunnan Baiyao Capsules. To stop bleeding. Sanqi Capsules. To stop bleeding.

In addition, Xihuang Pills also have a marked effect on lung cancer; I have previously written a dedicated article on them: A Detailed Account of Xihuang Pills, the Famous TCM Anti-Cancer Medicine—you may click the link to read it. For an introduction to commonly used proven folk formulas, single-herb remedies, and single herbs for lung cancer, see my other article: Common Folk Remedies, Single-Herb Formulas, Proven Prescriptions, and Common Chinese Herbs for Lung Cancer.