THE SUBCUTANEOUS ADMINISTRATION OF MERCAPTOMERIN (THIOMERIN®)

Abstract

The popularity and widespread use of the mercurial diuretics reflect the pharmacologic advances in obtaining preparations with a high degree of effectiveness and a minimal degree of toxicity. The presence of theophylline chemically linked to one valence of the mercury atom of the compound is the major reason for this favorable therapeutic range. It has been demonstrated that theophylline decreases the affinity of the mercurial for tissue, since it decreases the area and severity of irritation at the site of injection,¹ increases the rate and completeness of absorption from the site of intramuscular injection,² increases the elimination of mercury by the kidney³ and increases the diuresis.⁴ In terms of clinical usage this means that local irritation at the site of injection is lessened, that the predictability of obtaining a satisfactory response is high when the diuretic is administered