Psychic Side Effects Research Articles

PSYCHIC REACTIONS AFTER ANALGESIA WITH NITROUS OXIDE FOR CÆSAREAN SECTION

Nitrous-oxide/oxygen anæsthesia was used in seventeen patients for cæsarean section— alone in six (group A) and with barbiturate induction in eleven (group B). All patients in group A recalled vivid and terrifying dreams during anæsthesia, not on awakening but when interviewed 1 week later. A psychic disturbance related to this experience sometimes persisted for up to a year after the operation. None of the patients in group B recalled unpleasant sensations. These cases seem to emphasise the psychic side-effects of certain types of light narcosis.

Psychic side effects of a chlorzoxazone and acetaminophen mixture; a case report

A mixture of chlorzoxazone, 250 mg, and acetaminophen, 300 mg (Parafon Forte) was administered in tablet form to a 21-year-old man. The patient had received no previous medication and had no history of food or drug allergies. Following ingestion of the tablets, the patient experienced headaches, spatial disorientation, a dream-like state, nausea, vomiting, peripheral paresthesias, and amnesia. Several of these symptoms have not been previously reported as side effects of this medication. The side effect symptoms appeared to be directly related to the ingestion of the mixture; all symptoms cleared 24 hours after the medication was discontinued.

Narcotic antagonists as analgesics.

2-Dimethylallyl- 5,9-dimethyl-2'-hydroxybenzomorphan (Win 20,228) was found to be a weak antagonist of morphine and meperidine, whereas 2-allyl-5-ethyl-2'- hydroxy-9-methyl-6,7-benzomorphan (Win 19,362) and 2-allyl-2'-hydroxy-5,9- dimethyl-6,7-benzomorphan (Win 19,631) were about three times as potent as nalorphine. Preliminary clinical trials indicate that Win 19,362 is about twice as potent as morphine as an analgesic but, like nalorphine, is capable of producing severe psychic side effects. Win 20,228 is estimated to be about half as active as morphine as an analgesic, but no bizarre psychic effects were reported at any dose tested. Studies of addiction liability with Win 20,228 in monkeys suggest that this compound will not support morphine addiction.