Safety evaluation of Elixir Paregorico in healthy volunteers: a phase I study.

A liquid alcoholic extract of Papaver somniferum named Elixir Paregorico is extensively used for diarrheal diseases in Brazil. Its increased popularity has brought concerns and fears over the safety of this herbal product. Given the lack of investigative clinical studies, in this regard, this study investigated whether Elixir Paregorico administration causes any noticeable toxic effects in healthy volunteers. In all, 28 middle-aged healthy male (n = 14) and female (n = 14) were enrolled. After screening and a washout period, eligible subjects received four oral doses per day of Elixir Paregorico (3 mL diluted in 30 mL of water) over a 10-day period. Altogether, all 28 participants completed the study. The results of hematological and biochemical tests performed pre and post-treatment were within the normal range. In both male and female volunteers, there were no statistical differences (P > 0.05) in the results of clinical and laboratory tests performed at screening, on 5th and 10th day visits, and at final assessment. Although mild adverse events were related, which subsided spontaneously, no serious untoward reactions were reported following Elixir Paregorico administration. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that Elixir Paregorico administered four times a day for 10 days is safe and does not cause any noticeable toxic effect in healthy volunteers.

Drogas en el Perú / Drugs in Peru

Bajo el título de drogas en el Perú se presenta un apretado resumen de la farmacología de las drogas ilícitas de uso más extendido en el país. No se ha considerado pertinente presentar en esta oportunidad la gran familia de las drogas de las que se abusa frecuentemente pero que por razones epidemiológicas y de manejo de los aspectos preventivos se clasifican como drogas sociales, productos industriales o drogas folclóricas. El libro ha sido diseñado como un auxiliar práctico para público general, maestros y alumnos que requieran obtener información farmacológica acerca de las drogas en un lenguaje accesible al público general. Ramiro Castro de la Mata, médico farmacólogo especialista en drogas y miembro fundador de CEDRO, presenta en esta obra, una apretada síntesis de los principales aspectos de la farmacología de las principales drogas ilícitas cuyo consumo viene aquejando a la población peruana o de aquellas como el opio que amenazan a las futuras generaciones

Surgery: post-anaesthetic excitement following intravenous administration of barbiturates

Post-anaesthetic excitement may occur in neurotic or alcoholic subjects even after heavy doses of barbiturate have been given. It may be prevented or modified by the pre-anaesthetic administration of morphia or allied drug. When present, it may be lessened or abolished by morphia (in alcoholics) or possibly by alcohol. (AU)