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Potentiating Action of Chlorpromazine and Reserpine

Abstract

THIS laboratory has previously reported that β-diethylaminoethyl diphenylpropylacetate hydrochloride (SKF 525-A) potentiates the pharmacological activity of a variety of drugs by interfering with their rate of detoxication1,2. Recently, we have become interested in the potentiating effects of chlorpromazine and reserpine, drugs widely used for their tranquillizing effects. Chlorpromazine is reported to potentiate the action of a number of central depressant drugs, including barbiturates and ethanol3. We have been able to show that reserpine as well as chlorpromazine potentiates the hypnotic action of hexobarbitone and ethanol; and furthermore, that neither potentiating agent influences the rate of metabolic transformation of the hypnotics but acts presumably by increasing the sensitivity of the central nervous system.

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References

  1. Axelrod, J., Reichenthal, J., and Brodie, B. B., J. Pharm. and Exp. Therap., 112, 49 (1954).

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  2. Cooper, J. R., Axelrod, J., and Brodie, B. B., J. Pharm. and Exp. Therap., 112, 55 (1954).

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  3. Courvoisier, S., Fournal, J., Ducrot, R., Kolsky, M., and Koetchet, P., Arch. int. Pharmacodyn., 92, 305 (1953).

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BRODIE, B., SHORE, P., SILVER, S. et al. Potentiating Action of Chlorpromazine and Reserpine. Nature 175, 1133–1134 (1955). https://doi.org/10.1038/1751133a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1751133a0

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