Schwabe Pentarkan Range (PTK)

Besides classical homeopathy, which uses above all single remedies, more and more homeopaths use complex preparations such as the Pentarkan complex medicines or the Specialities.
Already in 1831, there were a few homeopaths who were using combinations of two homeopathic remedies. At that time Hahnemann showed vivid interest in this new development, but he did not get involved very much himself.

In 1860, Arthur Lutze (1813-1870) wrote about the success of treating patients with two combined remedies in his homeopathic textbooks. By the way, it was the Central Homeopathic Dispensary of Dr. Willmar Schwabe, where he obtained the homeopathic substances for his mixtures.

But it was not until 1890 when Emanuel Felke (1856-1926) combined several homeopathic remedies into one complex medicine. These complex medicines were assigned to certain diseases or organ systems.

Finally, Professor Emil Bürgi (1872-1947) a pharmacologist in Be, Switzerland, established the theoretic fundamentals on the effects of complex medicines. He stated that two or more remedies with the same effect on a biological system, but different points of action on that system increase their effect synergistically when combined.

Dr. Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals provided a series of complex medicines already in 1925. By 1940 Schwabe Pharmaceuticals provided its own complex medicines, each combining five single remedies in low potencies; and in 1960, Schwabe Pharmaceuticals presented for the first time a series of so-called Pentarkan complex medicines to the inteational market, result of many years of cooperation and experience shared with homeopathic experts. This line has been developed according to the motto: as many single remedies as necessary and as few as possible.

Each Pentarkan is a combination of two up to five well-proven homeopathic single remedies selected to form a synergistic product for specific indications. Here, the single remedies, i.e. the active substances are present in low potencies to guarantee an organ-specific effect in the respective indication. The preparations´ claims of indication result from the respective homeopathic drug pictures and the clinical application of the active substances. Each active substance is a proven reasonable part of the combination as it contributes to the positive appraisal of the finished product enhancing the synergistic effect with regard to the indication. The basis of this evaluation is the homeopathic literature in general, specifically the Materiae Medicae, providing descriptions of the single remedies, their field of action, the symptoms reported in drug provings and their clinical application, and the monographs of the Commission D, an expert group who reviewed the national and inteational scientific literature with regard to safety and effectiveness of homeopathic single remedies for the German Health authorities, today known as the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices. These monographs are still the legal fundament for the registration of homeopathic medicinal products in Germany.

Many years of cooperation with experienced homeopaths have produced a wide range of Pentarkan medicines. They cover the most frequent indications that have to be treated in every day medical practice.

All in all, there are Pentarkan preparations that can be used in various medical fields such as dermatology, gastroenterology, gynaecology, cardiology (cardiovascular complaints) and circulation diseases, otolaryngology, neurology, orthopaedics, urology and paediatrics.

Therapy by complex medicines saves the otherwise time-consuming search for the appropriate individual homeopathic single remedy. They are a convenient option both for the qualified therapist to allow an indication-specific treatment of complaints, and for the patient for a reasonable and ready-to-use alteative for self-medication in every-day complaints.

Besides the Pentarkan line, Schwabe Pharmaceuticals also provides so-called specialties which are also complex medicines. Like the Pentarkans they cover a series of common indications. For further information see the product information leaflets

Pentarkan Range