The reduction of coma time in lipophilic drug overdose using castor oil.
A clinical trial of castor oil in overdoses of lipophilic drugs gave a strong clinical impression that it was effective in speeding up recovery. Therefore, animal experiments were undertaken to confirm that castor oil acts as a ligand in Ethchlorvynol poisoning and that its use reduces coma time. Serial serum levels of Ethchlorvynol were obtained from dogs given Ethchlorvynol 150 mg/kg alone, and the same dose dissolved in castor oil 15 ml/kg in a crossover fashion. The result was a reduction of peak serum levels and of the half-life of the drug when the castor oil solution was used. In order to mimic the clinical situation more closely, a further crossover study was undertaken using Ethchlorvynol 300 mg/kg alone and the same dose followed by castor oil 15 ml/kg repeated q12h. This showed no delay in reaching peak serum concentration and no reduction of peak levels. However, it did show a 31 per cent reduction in the half-life of the drug. This change is statistically significant, and supports the continued use of castor oil in lipophilic drug overdose.
D000818:Animals; D002368:Castor Oil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003128:Coma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004984:Ethchlorvynol / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D010881:Piperidones / Q000506:poisoning
D010881:Piperidones; D004984:Ethchlorvynol; D002368:Castor Oil