A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, positive-controlled study of the general treatment method using Tanreqing capsule in uncomplicated influenza

To investigate the effects of the method of clearing heat, resolving phlegm, and detoxification, represented by Tanreqing capsule (TRQC, ), on influenza.

A total of 122 patients with uncomplicated influenza in the Beijing-Tianjin area were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group. They were treated with TRQC plus oseltamivir placebo or oseltamivir plus TRQC placebo for 5 d, respectively. The relief time for influenza symptoms, individual symptom relief time, the frequency of antipyretic drug usage, and the frequency of antibiotic drug usage were analyzed.

External wind-cold syndrome (28.69%) and external wind-heat syndrome (45.08%) were the most common syndrome types. The number of patients in TRQC group achieved normal temperature within 1 d was significantly more than oseltamivir group (72.88% vs50.80%, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the time for influenza symptom relief and individual symptom relief between the two groups. TRQC showed a better heat relief effect than oseltamivir on the fifth day of treatment.

TRQC, as a "Tongzhi" method (General treatment), has a curative effect on uncomplicated influenza that is similar to oseltamivir, with a better effect on prolonged fever. TRQC is an effective method of general treatment for influenza and can serve as an alternative therapy for managing large-scale influenza epidemics.