HYDRAS
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
Hydras, sold by John Wyeth and Brother, Philadelphia, is one of the many proprietary, so-called “uterine tonics.” It is said to contain “Cramp Bark, Helonias Root, Hydrastis, Scutellaria, Dogwood and Aromatics,” but as the amounts of the several ingredients are not given the statement regarding its composition is valueless. The label declares the presence of 24 per cent. alcohol.
The name “Hydras,” taken in connection with the statement of composition, would suggest that hydrastis (golden-seal) is an important constituent. The report of the Chemical Laboratory of the American Medical Association, however, indicates that hydrastis is present in unimportant amounts:
“The hydrastin content of Hydras was determined by extraction with immiscible solvents (Pharm. Review, May, 1908, p. 132). Twenty-five c.c. was found to yield an alkaloid residue of 0.0160 gm. The preparation contains, therefore, not more than 0.064 gm. ‘hydrastin’ per 100 c.c. Inasmuch as hydrastis is required to contain about 2.5 per cent. ‘hydrastin,’ hydras contains an equivalent of not more than 2.56 gm. hydrastis (golden seal) in 100 c.c. and the stated dose of Hydras—one dessertspoonful (8 c.c.)—represents not more than 0.2 gm. or 1⁄10 of the U. S. P. average dose of hydrastis.”
The label of a recently purchased bottle of Hydras bears the following recommendations for its use:
“Indicated in treatment of Dysmenorrhea, Menorrhagia Anti-Abortive, with anodyne and tonic properties.”
“For dysmenorrhea, suppressed menses, etc., a dessertspoonful three times daily, before or after meals.”
“To relieve pain due to uterine disorders, a dessertspoonful every three hours, or increased to a tablespoonful, at the discretion of the attending physician.”
A circular wrapped around the bottle declares that Hydras is:
“A valuable preparation to the physician in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, colic, cramps, spasm, palpitation incident to pregnancy, and the various pains resulting from diseases of the female sexual organs.”
It is further claimed that:
“In the dysmenorrhea of young girls due to some mechanical difficulty, as anteflexion or of a congestive character, of suppressed menses from exposure to cold and other causes of a similar character, Hydras will prove efficient and can be administered freely without danger.”
The value of hydrastis in the treatment of the diseases and conditions mentioned is problematical at best, and the small amount present in Hydras is wholly useless. As for the other constituents, cramp bark (Viburnum opulus), helonias (false unicorn—Chamælirium luteum or Helonias dioica) and scutellaria (skullcap—Scutellaria lateriflora) are drugs which are practically ignored by most writers on materia medica and therapeutics.[99] Dogwood (Cornus florida) is a mildly astringent aromatic bitter for the use of which there is no scientific evidence.[100]
To sum up: Of the five ingredients of Hydras (aside from alcohol and aromatics), one (hydrastis), which apparently gives the preparation its name, is present in unimportant amounts; three (cramp bark, helonias and scutellaria) are therapeutically unimportant; the fifth (dogwood) has never been shown to have any specific action on the uterus. The potent constituent, therefore, appears to be the alcohol.
But, even if every one of the several drugs said to be contained in Hydras were possessed of distinct therapeutic properties, and if each were present in known and therapeutically active amounts, still the combination in fixed proportion would be irrational. No one could foresee the joint effect of the five drugs in the several conditions for which the mixture is advertised. Hydras is evidently meant to appeal to the thoughtless and to be used at random; witness the suggestion made in the advertising that
“Owing to its palatability, it is acceptable to patients with impaired digestion, and will serve as a stomachic tonic, promoting appetite and digestion.”
A useless alcoholic nostrum “administered freely” to women and girls is as dangerous as the recommendation for such administration is reprehensible.
This preparation is semisecret. The recommendations for its use in specified diseases which appear on the label and in the advertising accompanying the bottle are sure to lead to its ill-advised use by the public. The claims made for its curative properties are exaggerated and unwarranted. The name, in view of the small content of hydrastis, is misleading. Finally, the combination of five drugs, even if individually they were of therapeutic value, is irrational. Hydras, consequently, is inadmissible to New and Nonofficial Remedies for conflict with Rules 1, 4, 6, 8 and 10, and publication of this report is authorized.
[Editorial Comment.—Products like “Hydras” are the bane of scientific medicine. The physician who prescribes them could with just as much reason prescribe any of the various alcoholic “patent medicines” of the “women’s tonic” type. In fact, his patients would be running less risk of contracting the alcohol habit if he prescribed the “patent medicines,” as these nostrums usually have less alcohol than is contained in their “ethical” prototypes—and alcohol is the only really important drug in practically all of them. Whatever one may think of reputable pharmaceutical houses who put out products of the “Hydras” type, the fault really lies with the profession which tolerates such therapeutic monstrosities.]—(From The Journal A. M. A., Oct. 7, 1916.)