PRUNOIDS
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
Prunoids are tablets put out by the Sultan Drug Company, St. Louis. They are said to be:
“Made of Phenolphthalein (one and one-half grains in each), Cascara Sagrada, De-emetinized Ipecac and Prunes.”
The following report on the composition of Prunoids is submitted by the Association’s Laboratory:
“From an examination of Prunoids it is concluded that the amount of cascara or extract of cascara in the preparation is very small. Also the quantity of “de-emetinized ipecac” is insignificant. The claim is made:
“The levulose of prunes, a constituent of Prunoids, is hygroscopic and thus when brought into contact with the saliva of the mouth or contents of the stomach, disintegrates and prompt medication is insured.”
“Actually the amount of prunes which may be present in Prunoids is negligible. For all practical purposes, therefore, Prunoids are phenolphthalein.”
According to the information included on and in the box Prunoids are
“An Ideal Laxative, Purgative, and Intestinal Tonic” ... “particularly adapted to the treatment of constipation ...”
They are said to act as an “intestinal tonic”—a claim which in the light of the examination is obviously unwarranted—and because of this, it is said that they:
“Will permanently remove constipation without causing after constipation.”
The trade package assures the purchaser that Prunoids are:
“Recommended by Physicians Generally.”
A circular sent to physicians makes the unwarranted claim that Prunoids are “especially serviceable” in “... Neurasthenia, Jaundice, Chlorosis, Rheumatism, Gout ...” and that
“... their success in gouty diathesis and vague rheumatic symptoms tends to confirm the opinion expressed by some physicians that they have a solvent action on uric acid.”
In the following the haphazard and ill-considered use of purgatives is suggested:
“For the expectant mother, or in the treatment of female diseases, for bowel elimination, no happier or safer selection can be made.”
The Council refused recognition to Prunoids because the statement of composition is incomplete and therefore meaningless; because unwarranted therapeutic claims are made for them; because the name “Prunoids” gives the false impression that they depend on prunes for their effect; and because it is irrational and a detriment to medicine to disguise a well-known drug by means of a misleading name and to attempt to create the impression of special virtues by combining it with superfluous drugs.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Jan. 2, 1915.)