PICROTOXIN AS AN ANTIDOTE IN ACUTE POISONING BY THE LONGER ACTING BARBITURATES

¹ From the Department of Pharmacology of the University of Wisconsin

Experimental data are presented demonstrating the effectiveness of picrotoxin as an antidote in acute poisoning by the longer acting barbiturates. In sublethal doses of these compounds picrotoxin shortens the recovery time, in lethal doses within certain limits it effects a cure, and in doses beyond the limits of hopeful therapeusis it prolongs the life of the animal.

As types of the longer acting barbiturates the following were employed: phenobarbital, neonal, ipral, barbital sodium, allonal, allyl iso-propyl barbituric acid, allyl iso-propyl barbituric acid mixed with pyramidon in the ratio of three to five, and dial.

Amytal, noctal and pernocton when administered orally in excess of the minimal lethal doses for that mode of administration are successfully antidoted with picrotoxin.

Through comparative studies on blood pressure, temperature, and tissue changes some light is shed on the mechanism of action of picrotoxin in the presence of the toxic effects of the barbiturates.