Scophedal (SEE) was it a fad or a miracle drug?
The German firm E. Merck released in 1928, an injectable mixture of scopolamine, oxycodone, and ephedrine under the name SEE. This drug, renamed Scophedal in 1942 caused deep and prolonged analgesia, sedation, euphoria and amnesia without significant respiratory or circulatory depression. Used extensively by the German and Central European surgeons in the 1930s, Scophedal enjoyed immense popularity with the Wehrmacht's medical officers treating frontline mass casualties during World War II. The use of Scophedal declined after 1945, and its production was discontinued in 1987. Despite the clinical enthusiasm it raised, SEE was never critically investigated. This drug may deserve a rigorous re-evaluation.
Defalque
Ray J
RJ
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.
Wright
Amos J
AJ
D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia / Q000266:history; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000266:history*; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000266:history*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004809:Ephedrine / Q000266:history; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D010098:Oxycodone / Q000266:history; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000266:history; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000266:history*; D047789:World War II
D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013566:Sympathomimetics; D010098:Oxycodone; D012601:Scopolamine; D004809:Ephedrine