Effectiveness of complex homeopathic medicinal products in the treatment of children with painful teething

Background: Complex homeopathic medicinal products are sold over the counter for self-limiting diseases in children such as painful teething. The possible effectiveness of these complex products is predominantly based on the clinical experience with each of the individual homeopathic active substances in the product. So far, only a few clinical studies in children have been performed to investigate the effectiveness of complex homeopathic products as a whole.

Objective: To investigate the comparative effectiveness and tolerability of two complex homeopathic medicinal products, Dentokind versus Viburcol, in the treatment of children with painful teething.

Design: A multicentre, randomized comparative clinical study with two parallel groups. One group received Dentokind (tablets), containing five homeopathic active substances: Belladonna D6, Chamomilla D6, Ferrum Phosphoricum D6, Hepar sulfuris D12 and Pulsatilla D6. The other group received Viburcol (suppositories), containing six homeopathic active substances: Chamomilla D1, Belladonna D2, Solanum D4, Plantago D3, Pulsatilla D3 and Calcium Carbonicum D8. Children in the age of ≤ 6 years with symptoms of painful dentation were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were fever of ≥ 38 °C, severe comorbidity and/or oncological diseases. The main outcome parameter was total scores of subjective complaints and clinical symptoms as assessed by parents and physicians after 3 and 7 days of treatment. Other outcome parameters were parent satisfaction and the number of reported adverse events.

Results and Conclusions: At (outpatient) paediatric clinics in Russia, 200 children with symptoms of painful teething were included in the study, 100 in the Dentokind group and another 100 children in the Viburcol group. Demographics and outcome data are currently being analysed. Results and conclusions will be therefore be presented at the conference.