Abstract
The antidotal action of sodium amytal against convulsant drugs has been demonstrated in both animals and men. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 In view of the fact that large doses of amidopyrine cause convulsions of central origin, 5 it appears interesting to ascertain whether or not sodium amytal will similarly reduce its toxicity. Evidence of antagonism between amidopyrine and other barbituric acid derivatives has already been observed by several European workers. 6 , 7
White mice numbering 272 and rats numbering 221 were employed in the present investigation. They were all starved over night prior to medication. The drugs were injected by the tail vein. It is a coincidence that amidopyrine and sodium amytal when given alone have the same toxicity. The M.L.D. (minimal lethal dose) of each was found to be 150 mg. per kg. in mice and 135 in rats—using dose increments of 5 mg., and groups of 5 animals. The determined dose killed at least 3 animals out of an injected group of 5.
In the next series of experiments, sodium amytal was added and injected together with amidopyrine, various amounts of both drugs being used. As shown in Table I, the toxicity of amidopyrine is reduced approximately 2/3 when an optimal dose of sodium amytal was employed (which was 40% of the M.L.D. in mice, and 50% in rats).
It may be interesting to mention that in a group of 5 rabbits which was given by mouth 100 mg. of amytal and 227 mg. of amidopyrine daily, except Saturdays and Sundays, for 4 1/2 weeks, there was no decrease in either the total white blood cell or the granulocyte counts.
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