PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY OF MONOHYDROXY-MERCURI-DI-IODO-RESORCIN-SULPHONPHTHALEIN

¹ Pharmacological Research Laboratory, Hynson, Westcott and Dunning, Incorporated, Baltimore, Maryland

1. An extensive toxicological and pharmacological study of a new synthetic compound, the disodium salt of monohydroxy-mercuri-di-iodo-resorcin-sulphonphthalein, named merodicein, is set forth.

2. A pharmacological study of the drug on the circulation, on respiration, gastrointestinal tract, kidney function and isolated organs and tissues reveals that this compound, although markedly antiseptic, is not very toxic and that the principal organs affected by it are the kidneys and intestines.

3. The maximum tolerated dosages and the minimal lethal dosages of merodicein on intravenous injection for higher animals, rabbits, cats and dogs, have been determined, and it was found that the latter were in no case less than 10 mgm. per kilogram weight of the animal, death being due to degenerative changes in the kidneys.

4. When administered by mouth or through stomach tube in large single doses or when fed in small quantities over long periods of time, merodicein is very little toxic. This is due in large measure to the fact that the drug is but poorly absorbed from the intestines and that it is for the most part excreted in the stools. Very large doses of the drug, 200 mgm. per kilogram or more, produce a laxative effect, their pharmacodynamic action being very much like that of a saline purgative.

5. In view of the potent bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties of the drug, even in high dilution, and in view of its low toxicity, when given by mouth or stomach, merodicein offers a wide margin of safety and high therapeutic index and warrants an extensive clinical therapeutic trial of the drug as an antiseptic for the mouth and throat.