THE CLINICAL EVALUATION OF NARCOTIC AND SEDATIVE DRUGS H: A RE-EVALUATION OF PETHIDINE AND PETHILORFAN

Abstract

A re-evaluation of pethidine and Pethilorfan has been carried out using techniques previously described. In this way analgesia, respiratory depression and sedation have been studied as principal effects. Secondary effects of the two drugs such as cardiovascular depression, nausea, vomiting and histamine-like reaction have also been assessed. It appears that the addition of levallorphan to pethidine reduces the analgesia produced and tends to increase the incidence of unwanted side effects. The sedation produced by each drug is poor but similar. Likewise there is a high incidence of preoperative nausea and vomiting when no atropine was given. Blood pressure and pulse changes are similar with each drug. Both drugs, in high concentration, show local histamine-like action. Finally, the respiratory depression produced in healthy volunteers by Pethilorfan 100 mg, intravenously, is greater, not less, than that produced by pethidine 100 mg.