Skip to main content
Log in

Orphenadrine poisoning

A case report supplemented with animal experiments

  • Published:
Archiv für Toxikologie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

A severe case of orphenadrine poisoning which was successfully treated is described. The patient was treated three days on the respirator and convulsions were controlled by use of neuromuscular blocking agents. Symptoms of the poisoning included shock, anuria, severe disturbances in acid-base and electrolyte balance, alarming arrhythmias and mydriasis. Partly on the basis of personal observations made in studies using isolated perfused rabbit heart, the authors regarded the rhythm disturbances as being mainly caused by orphenadrine itself.

The effect of some cholinergic agents on the toxicity of orphenadrine in mice was also studied. Neostigmine and physostigmine enhanced whereas arecoline diminished the toxicity of orphenadrine.

Zusammenfassung

Es wird ein schwerer mit Erfolg behandelter Vergiftungsfall durch Orphenadrin berichtet. Die Patientin wurde während 3 Tagen mit dem Respirator beatmet, die Krämpfe wurden durch neuromuskulär blockierende Stoffe beherrscht. Das Vergiftungsbild bestand aus Schock, Anurie, schweren Störungen im Säure-Basen-Gleichgewicht und Elektrolythaushalt, bedrohlichen Rhythmusstörungen und Mydriasis. Zum Teil auf Grund ihrer eigenen Beobachtungen am isolierten Kaninchenherz betrachten die Autoren die Rhythmusstörungen hauptsächlich als durch Orphenadrin selbst verursacht.

Die Wirkung einiger Cholinomimetika auf die Toxicität von Orphenadrin wurde an Mäusen untersucht. Neostigmin und Physostigmin steigerten die Toxicität von Orphenadrin, während Arecolin sie herabsetzte.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bijlsma, U. G., A. F. Harms, A. B. H. Funcke, H. M. Tersteege, andW. Th. Nauta: The pharmacology ofβ-dimethylaminoethyl-2-methylbenzhydrylether hydrochloride (BS 5930). Arch. int. Pharmacodyn.106, 332 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Currey, A. S.: Twenty-one uncommon cases of poisoning. Brit. med. J.I, 687 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Herz, A.: Wirkungen des Arecolins auf das Zentralnervensystem. Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch. exp. Path. Pharmak.242, 414 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hespe, W., A. M. de Roos, andW. Th. Nauta: Investigation into the metabolic fate of orphenadrine hydrochloride after oral administration to male rats. Arch. int. Pharmacodyn.156, 180 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Holmstedt, B., andG. Lundgren: Arecoline, nicotine and related compounds. Tremorgenic activity and effect upon brain acetylcholine. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.142, 126 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Inquests. Orphenadrine fatality. Pharm. J.194, 42 (1965).

  • Miller, L. C., andM. L. Tainter: Estimation of the LD50 and its error by means of logarithmic-probit graph paper. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. (N.Y.)57, 261 (1944).

    Google Scholar 

  • Obersteg, J. M., u.J. Bäumler: Über Suizide mit Psychopharmaka. Münch. med. Wschr.106, 969 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Onuaguluchi, G., andJ. J. Lewis: Some aspects of the pharmacology of orphenadrine. J. Pharm. Pharmacol.15, 329 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Spencer, P. S. J.: Activity of centrally acting and other drugs against tremor and hypothermia induced in mice by tremorine. Brit. J. Pharmacol.25, 442 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wanebo, H., S. Katsh, andB. Bromberger-Barnea: Comparative activities of certain antihistamines on inhibition of isolated rabbit auricles. Arch. int. Pharmacodyn.137, 116 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Heinonen, J., Heikkilä, J., Mattila, M.J. et al. Orphenadrine poisoning. Archiv für Toxikologie 23, 264–272 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00577533

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00577533

Key-Words

Schlüsselwörter

Navigation