Dependence on 2,2 Diethyl-4-Pentenamide (Diethyl-Allylacetamide, in Novo-Dolestan^R, Insomnia^R)

Abstract

19 patients with a chronic abuse of 2,2 diethyl-4-pentenamide(DEP) have been observed in a two years period (1976/77). The majority had been dependent on alcohol or bromoureides before their abuse of DEP, but cases of primary DEP abuse also occured. The patients reported an increase in dose of DEP up to 4,5 g/day. It occured within a few days in dependents on other substances of the alcohol-barbiturate group. During intoxication we observed inactivity, hostility, ataxia, dysarthria and nystagmus in patients. Withdrawal symptoms consisted of anxiety, tremor, sweating, grand mal seizures and delirium tremens. They could be relieved by clomethiazol(Distraneurin^R) or diazepam(Valium^R). The majority of patients felt addicted to DEP. During intake of DEP an elevation of gamma-glutamyltransferase in serum occured, but GOT(aspartate aminotransferase), GPT(alanine aminotransferase), alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin remained normal. This pattern may be helpful in the follow-up of patients at risk.