Abstract
THE use of mandelic acid, a new urinary antiseptic, was the subject of a note in a former issue of NATURE (136, 482; 1935). In order that the antiseptic action may be exerted, it is necessary for the urine to be acid (pH. below 5.5), and this was at first effected by the simultaneous administration of ammonium chloride in an amount of 4.8 gm. daily. Treatment with this agent has now been simplified in various ways, which also tend to reduce the disadvantages of the original method, such as the risk of nausea and vomiting, excessive acidity, and albuminuria with casts. Boots Pure Drug Co., Ltd., Station Road, Nottingham, compound the mandelic acid with acid sodium phosphate as the acidifying agent, with sodium bicarbonate in sufficient quantity to neutralise the acid, and suitably sweetened with saccharin. This preparation is put up under the name of ‘Neoket’, compound mandelic acid granules, the dose of which is two teaspoonfuls in a little water four times a day. The British Drug Houses, Ltd., Graham Street, London, N.I, make use of ammonium mandelate, which is put in the form of an elixir under the name of ‘Mandelix’, of which 2 fluid drachms constitutes the normal adult dose. This usually suffices to maintain the requisite acidity; exceptionally, it may be necessary to administer ammonium chloride in addition, for which purpose capsules containing gram-doses are supplied. A ‘Mandelix Outfit’ contains these agents, together with a testing outfit to ensure the proper urinary acidity. Descriptive booklets may be obtained on application from the two firms named.
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Simplified Mandelic Acid Treatment of Urinary Infections. Nature 137, 1027 (1936). https://doi.org/10.1038/1371027a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1371027a0