THE EFFECT OF BODY TEMPERATURE ON DRUG ACTION

Abstract

"This review includes chiefly the alterations in drug action in vertebrates resulting from changes in body temp. Results obtained at varied environmental temps. and on isolated prepns. are included in some cases to supplement these observations. . . Many of the older references have been omitted. The effects of environmental temp. on vit. requirements and the effect of temp. on bac- tericidal action are not included. . . . The alteration in phar-macodynamic response resulting from lowering of body temp. is not due entirely to the simple effect of temp. upon the rate of chemical reactions, but is often greatly modified by circulatory, nervous or metabolic changes resulting from the decrease in temp. For this reason, certain temp. effects, uncomplicated by the action of drugs, and ranges of body temp. compatible with vertebrate life, are discussed." The responses of homeotherms, poikilotherms, and in some instances isolated tissues, over as wide temp. ranges as possible, are presented for eolchicine, mussel poison, digitalis and related substances, central nervous system stimulants, central nervous system depressants, dinitrophenol, the hormones epinephrine, insulin, and thyroid, and miscellaneous other drugs. Metabolism of ethyl alc. as affected by body temp. is reviewed.