CAMPETRODIN AND CAMPETRODIN NO. 2

Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry

The following report on Campetrodin and Campetrodin No. 2 has been adopted by the Council and its publication authorized.

W. A. Puckner, Secretary.

The following report of the A. M. A. Chemical Laboratory on “Campetrodin” and “Campetrodin No. 2,” sold by the A. H. Robins Company, Richmond, Va., was submitted to the Council by a referee of the Committee on Pharmacology:

Campetrodin and Campetrodin No. 2, Double Strength, are called “ethical medicinal specialties” by the A. H. Robins Company, Richmond, Va., which sells them. An advertisement in the Maryland Medical Journal (December, 1917) contains the following claim for composition:

“Campetrodin (Made in Two Strengths of Iodine). This preparation is an Oleaginous Solution of Iodine in Camphor.”

A booklet describing the “specialties” of the Robins Company contains the following in reference to Campetrodin: “Composition: Camphor, Iodine Element, Oleaginous Solvent.” From this it appears that the preparations are claimed to contain elementary (free) iodine in an “oleaginous solvent.” Since free iodin, as is well known, readily combines with fats, it was decided to determine the form in which the iodin was present in these preparations. The examination demonstrated that both preparations contained but a trace of free iodin. On steam distillation there was obtained from both preparations a distillate amounting to about 35 per cent. by volume which had an odor strongly suggestive of turpentine, while the residue contained the iodin and had the characteristics of an iodized fatty oil.

Quantitative determinations indicated that Campetrodin contained approximately 0.03 per cent. of free iodin and 1.3 per cent. of iodin in combination with the fatty oil. Campetrodin No. 2, Double Strength, contained approximately 0.03 per cent. free iodin and 2 per cent. of iodin in combination with the fatty oil.

Thus, contrary to the published statements, Campetrodin is not a preparation of free (elementary) iodin and Campetrodin No. 2, Double Strength, does not contain twice as much iodin as Campetrodin.

The report of the Chemical Laboratory shows that the statements made in regard to the composition of Campetrodin and Campetrodin No. 2 are incomplete in some respects and false in others. In view of the Laboratory’s findings it appears superfluous to inquire into the therapeutic claims made for the preparations: It is evident, however, that a solution containing practically no free iodin is not, as claimed by the Robins Company, “adapted for use wherever ... iodin is indicated externally....”

It is recommended that Campetrodin and Campetrodin No. 2 be declared inadmissible to New and Non­official Remedies because of false statements as to chemical composition and therapeutic action, constituting conflicts with Rules 1 and 6.

The Council adopted the recommendation of the referee and authorized publication of this report.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Sept. 21, 1918.)