Sinfrontal is a complex homeopathic medication (containing Cinnabaris D4, Ferrum phosphoricum D3, Mercurius solubilis D6) that is commonly used in Germany for a variety of upper respiratory tract infections and has shown promise as a treatment for Rhinosinusitis without the need for antibiotics. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, clinical trial comparing Sinfrontal with placebo in 113 patients with radiography-confirmed acute maxillary sinusitis found that there was a significant difference in patients treated with Sinfrontal with no recurrence of symptoms 8 weeks after treatment. [Zabolotnyi, Kneis et al]
Patients receiving Sinfrontal were instructed to take 1 tablet every hour until improvement was noted, with a maximum of 12 tablets per day, after which the dosing would change to 2 tablets 3 times per day.
An economic analysis demonstrated that Sinfrontal can lead to substantial cost savings with markedly reduced absenteeism from work. [Kneis, Gandjour]
The Cochrane Collaboration noted that similar study results have been reported in an unpublished study of a herbal extract derived from the plant Pelargonium sidoides in patients with acute rhinosinusitis which showed significant treatment effects for resolution of all symptoms including resolution of headaches and nasal discharge (complete resolution at day 21). The extract is used for the treatment of acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs) where antibiotic use is unnecessary. In the light of inappropriate antibiotic use and increasing drug resistance rates worldwide, the need for an alternative, effective remedy for these medical conditions is crucial. The Cochrane review concluded with the finding that P. sidoides extract might yield similar rates of symptom relief to homeopathic medicines in acute rhinosinusitis and the herbal preparation may be effective in relieving symptoms in sinusitis in adults.
Product name: Sinfrontal®
Product Category: Homeopathic medicinal product, OTC
Pharmaceutical form: Tablets
Active ingredient(s):
One tablet contains:
Cinnabaris Trit. D4 10 mg
Ferrum phosphoricum Trit. D3 30 mg
Mercurius solubilis Hahnemanni Trit. D6 130 mg
Exipients: Lactose-Monohydrat, Magnesiumstearat (vegetable)
Indications: The indication is derived from the homeopathic remedy picture of its ingredients, for instance: Inflammation of the paranasal sinus.
Dosage: Acute cases: Every half or whole hour, maximal 12 times daily one tablet. Chronic cases: One to three times daily one tablet
Warnings: None
Registration status: The product is distributed in Germany for decades, at least since June 1978.
Publications:
Zabolotnyi DI, Kneis KC, Richardson A, Rettenberger R, Heger M, Kaszkin-Bettag M, Heger PW.
Efficacy of a complex homeopathic medication (Sinfrontal) in patients with acute maxillary sinusitis: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial. Explore (NY). 2007 Mar-Apr;3(2):98-109
Kneis KC, Gandjour A.
Economic evaluation of Sinfrontal in the treatment of acute maxillary sinusitis in adults. Appl Health Econ Health Policy. 2009;7(3):181-91
Malcolm B. Taw, Chau T. Nguyen, Marilene B. Wang
Complementary and Integrative Treatments: Rhinosinusitis, Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, Volume 46, Issue 3, June 2013, Pages 345-366
Key points: There is evidence for beneficial integrative treatment using herbal supplements, especially for … Sinfrontal.
Timmer A, Günther J, Rücker G, Motschall E, Antes G, Kern WV.
Pelargonium sidoides extract for acute respiratory tract infections. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 3, published in The Cochrane Library 2009, Issue 1
A homoeopathic complex is efficacious in acute sinusitis, Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies, Volume 12, Issue 4, December 2007, Pages: 268–269, Article first published online : 14 JUN 2010, DOI: 10.1211/fact.12.4.0013
Homoeopathy, Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies, Volume 12, Issue 3, September 2007, Page: 232, Article first published online : 14 JUN 2010, DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-7166.2007.tb01646.x
Generalisierte Candida-Mykose bei Panmyelophthise, Mycoses, Volume 12, Issue 1, January 1969, Pages: 1–16, Dr. K. W. Ruprecht, Article first published online: 24 APR 2009, DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.1969.tb02895.x
Cinnabaris 
Ferrum phosphoricum 