Using Xiaojin Tablets plus Xuefu Zhuyu Pills for Cancer Pain

Xiaojin Wan (Xiaojin Pill) is a family secret formula handed down by Wang Hongxu, a famous physician of the Qing dynasty. It disperses nodules and reduces swelling, resolves stasis and stops pain. Xiaojin Wan can be used for initial-stage yin-type ulcers with unchanged skin color, hard painful swellings, multiple abscesses, goiter, scrofula, breast rock (breast cancer) and breast lumps; it is a commonly used Chinese patent medicine for breast hyperplasia and breast cancer.

Xiaojin Wan consists of Shexiang (Moschus), Mubiezi (Momordica cochinchinensis, shell and oil removed), Zhi Caowu (processed Aconitum), Fengxiangzhi (Liquidambar orientalis resin), Ruxiang (processed Olibanum), Moyao (processed Myrrh), Wulingzhi (Troglodytes, vinegar-fried), Danggui (wine-fried Angelica), Dilong (Pheretima) and Xiangmo (incised ink). The Zhi Caowu and Mubiezi in the formula have some toxicity, and those with hepatic or renal insufficiency should use it cautiously. This formula has a strong pain-relieving action and also a strong anti-tumor action, but its herbs readily cause bleeding, so those with a bleeding tendency should also use it cautiously.

Modern Chinese patent medicine factories produce Xiaojian Pian (Xiaojin Tablets) and Xiaojin Jiaonang (Xiaojin Capsules) according to the Xiaojin Wan prescription, with the same actions. The Shexiang in current market Xiaojin Wan (Xiaojin Tablets, Xiaojin Capsules) is all artificial musk rather than natural musk. Xiaojin Wan has some analgesic and anti-tumor effect and is effective for blood-stasis-type tumor patients; it can treat breast cancer, lymphoma, osteosarcoma and many other cancers.

Xuefu Zhuyu Wan is another empirical formula by the Qing physician Wang Qingren, from his book Yilin Gaicuo. Xuefu Zhuyu Wan consists of Danggui, Chishao, Taoren, Honghua, Chuanxiong, Dihuang (Rehmannia), Niuxi (Achyranthes), Zhiqiao (bran-fried Aurantii), Jiegeng (Platycodon), Chaihu (Bupleurum) and Gancao. Its action is also to activate blood and resolve stasis, move qi and stop pain. It is indicated for headache or chest pain due to static blood obstruction, internal heat with oppression, insomnia and profuse dreams, palpitations and severe palpitation, irritability and easy anger. In modern practice it is used for headache, dizziness, sequelae of brain injury, coronary heart disease and angina pectoris.

I have tried using Xiaojin Tablets plus Xuefu Zhuyu Pills for cancer pain in breast cancer patients, with some efficacy. The two together reduce cancer pain in advanced breast cancer patients, and unlike painkillers such as OxyContin they do not readily cause side effects like constipation. The same combination can also be used to relieve chest pain, headache and bone pain caused by other tumors, although the efficacy is not as definite as for cancer pain in advanced breast cancer.

Both drugs are blood-activating; together they readily lower the patient's platelets, and in bleeding-tendency patients the combination also readily causes bleeding. Therefore patients with low platelets or a bleeding tendency cannot use this combination.

Cancer pain in advanced cancer is a worldwide medical challenge, especially refractory cancer pain. There are not many regimens for relieving refractory cancer pain; that Xiaojin Tablets and Xuefu Zhuyu Pills together can achieve some analgesic effect is already quite good. So although the combination has some side effects, it is still worth trying.