The combination therapy of Ephedra herb and Loxoprofen caused gastric lesions in mice.

The combination therapy of a Kampo formula and an analgesic-antipyretic agent is often used for the common cold in Japan. We investigated the effect of such a combination therapy, using the Ephedra herb, which is a common ingredient of Kakkon-to and Mao-to, and Loxoprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), on fever induced in an experimental model of mice under strong stress. The combination therapy of Ephedra herb and Loxoprofen caused gastric mucosal lesions and loss of body weight. It is considered that this combination therapy should be avoided because of its adverse effects.