Chlormethiazole and trifluoperazine in alcohol withdrawal

Chlormethiazole (Heminevrin) is a sedative and anticonvulsant that has been reported by Glatt et al. (1965) to be more effective than placebo for the alcohol abstinence syndrome. The present study was designed to compare the substance with trifluoperazine (Stelazine).

Hyperglycemic, nonketotic coma following administration of Dilantin (Diphenylhydantoin)

Two critically ill patients are described in whom the intravenous administration of Dilantin produced marked alterations in plasma glucose and blood pressure. The first patient, a nondiabetic with chronic lung disease received a total of 1.8 gm. Dilantin over a 48-hr, period for status epilepticus. Plasma glucose increased from normal to 1,200 mg./100 ml. and his seizures became focal in nature. The second patient, a mildly diabetic male, experienced renal shut-down and multiple arrythmias after a myocardial infarct. Three hours after a single intravenous injection of 200 mg. Dilantin, plasma glucose rose from 400 mg. to 1,260 mg./100 ml. and proved relatively resistant to insulin. Intravenous administration of 25 mg. Dilantin per kg. in four dogs promptly induced marked hyperglycemia and hypotension.

The effect of antidepressants and "tranquilizers" on the response of mice to ethanol

1. The techniques and apparatus used for investigation of the interaction of various psychotropic drugs with ethanol in mice are described. The parameters measured were (a) length of loss of righting reflexes; (b) continuous coma; (c) subjects remaining in coma 12 hr after dosing; (d) changes in toxicity.2. The following drugs were tested: amitriptyline, trimipramine, imipramine, nortriptyline, desipramine, thioridazine, phenelzine, methylphenidate, chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine, phenobarbitone, and diazepam. The total number of mice used was 3,140.3. Imipramine caused no significant changes in the effects of ethanol. Methylphenidate and desipramine protected the mice against ethanol induced coma. All other drugs induced statistically significant potentiation of the depressant and toxic effects of ethanol in mice.4. Late (delayed) deaths after a tricyclic antidepressant have been noted in animals and man.5. It is suggested that the potentiation of alcohol by some psychotropic drugs may add to the hazards of drug overdosage and contribute to traffic accidents. Hence it is necessary to test all psychotropic drugs for interaction with alcohol.