Yokukansan Treatment of Chronic Renal Failure Patients Receiving Hemodialysis, with Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: An Open-Label Study

Objective The efficacy and safety of yokukansan (YKS) for chronic renal failure (CRF) patients receiving hemodialysis with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) was evaluated. Methods Twelve CRF patients receiving hemodialysis with BPSD were recruited and 7.5 g of YKS powder was added to ongoing therapy with antipsychotics. Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) criteria and Barthel Index before and after 4-week YKS treatment were compared. Results Analysis of the mean score for NPI revealed a significant improvement during the period of YKS administration (25.3 ± 17.6 versus 8.36 ± 4.46; p = 0.0069). The mean score for the Barthel Index showed no significant difference during the period of YKS administration. Mean level of serum potassium was still within the normal range. No subjects had severe adverse reactions necessitating discontinuation from the study. Conclusion Yokukansan significantly improved the symptoms of BPSD in CRF patients receiving hemodialysis without critical side effects.