A Severe Reaction to Tetraethylammonium Chloride

Abstract

TETRAETHYLAMMONIUM salts have been found to block efferent autonomic impulses at both the sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglions.^{1 , 2} Because of this action, the drug is being employed in a variety of clinical studies. The effect of tetraethylammonium ion in man has been described by Lyons and his associates,^{3 4 5} who have administered the drug over a thousand times with "very few serious effects." They make particular reference to the occasional profound fall in blood pressure and transient vascular collapse in patients with malignant hypertension who have received tetraethylammonium parenterally. Otherwise, there has been no report of a severe untoward reaction to this . . .