USE OF ETHAMIVAN IN TREATMENT OF BARBITURATE POISONING

Abstract

Ethamivan was used as a respiratory analeptic in the treatment of 9 cases of severe barbiturate poisoning. Initial intravenous injections of 100 to 150 mg of ethamivan increased the depth of respirations within a minute. Prolonged respiratory stimulation was achieved by a continuous intravenous infusion of 500 to 3000 mg of ethamivan/litre of fluid. If hypotension occurred, an intravenous drip of norepinephrine was used; fluid overloading was avoided by adjusting the concentrations of drugs given, so that no more than a total of 125 ml of fluid/hour was administered. The chief side effect of overdosage of ethamivan was muscular twitching. This did not prove to be a problem and was of some value in determining the amount of drug given. The 9 patients survived. It was concluded that ethamivan is a useful agent in the treatment of barbiturate poisoning.