Herbal Medicine for Chemotherapy-Induced Diarrhea
An herb is a plant or part of a plant that people take for health benefits as dietary supplements or medication. Herbal medicine may also be referred to as phytotherapy or use of botanicals. Herbal medicine interventions include a variety of substances and combinations of substances. Herbal medicine is contraindicated with some chemotherapy agents.
Enterade®
Enterade® is a commercially available amino acid-containing electrolyte beverage. In a study of patients undergoing conditioning regimens for autologous stem cell transplantation, the effectiveness of Enterade® was limited by the inability of patients to tolerate rehydration protocols with Enterade® or placebo drinks.
Cystine and Theanine
Cystine and theanine have been studied for effects on capecitabine-related gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea. Cystine and theanine are amino acid precursors to glutathione which has a role in antioxidative reactions.
Crofelemer
Crofelemer is a plant-based drug used in adults for the treatment of non-infectious diarrhea associated with antiretroviral treatment for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. It has been studied as prophylaxis for diarrhea in patients with HER-2 positive breast cancer receiving treatment with trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and taxane regimens.
Acustimulation for Chemotherapy-Induced Diarrhea
Acustimulation involves electrostimulation of acupressure points (most commonly, the P6 point) by transcutaneous, electrical stimulation. Acustimulation has been studied for chemotherapy-induced diarrhea, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and fatigue.
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Gregory E. Wilding
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Jingtao Zhu
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Fanghong Dong
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Miranda V. McPhillips
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Misol Kwon