LIPOIDAL SUBSTANCES (HOROVITZ) NOT ADMITTED TO N. N. R.

Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry

The Council has authorized publication of the following report declaring Lipoidal Substances (Horovitz) inadmissible to New and Non­official Remedies because its composition is essentially secret and because the curative claims made for it are unsubstantiated and, therefore, unwarranted.

W. A. Puckner, Secretary.

In the advertising of the Horovitz Biochemic Laboratories Co. (A. S. Horovitz, president) we read:

“Horovitz proves by careful paralleled investigations of normal and of pathological tissues, both in addiction disease and in other diseases, that in patients suffering from narcotic addiction disease there is an inactivity of the lymph-glands due to the use of the drug and that the system is not supplied with the necessary fats.” “Horovitz further found that the lipoidal content of the cerebro-spinal system varies in strict accordance with the pathological processes introduced by infection or by alkaloids. Furthermore, he has found that the lipoids of various other organs, as well as those of the nervous system, may be extracted and consumed by the administration of narcotic alkaloids.”

It is further stated in the advertising that:

“After a long and very careful research investigation, Dr. Horovitz worked out a method of rational treatment for narcotic addiction disease which involves the restoration of the lipoids, which have been lost through the action of the drug, and of the toxins, by means of a combination of lipoidal substance from various plant lipoids in the form of a sterile solution. This preparation not only replaces the lipoids lost by the tissues, but also protects the nerve tissues, from attacks by the toxins elaborated during the use of narcotics, and, this by detoxicating the tissues, brings about permanent freedom from the craving of narcotics, instead of the temporary relief afforded by other methods of treatment.”

The “combination of lipoidal substance of various plant lipoids” which was worked out by Horovitz, the Horovitz Biochemic Laboratories offer as “Lipoidal Substances.” This preparation is supplied in ampoules said to contain 1 c.c. of solution. The treatment with “Lipoidal Substances” consists, first, in the complete withdrawal of the narcotic; second, in free catharsis; and third, in the intramuscular injection of the preparation. The initial dose is given as 8 to 12 minims repeated with increase of 3 to 4 minims every three hours during the first day. On the second, third and fourth day 16 minims is to be given twice a day and “from the fifth day until the medication is stopped (usually 28 to 35 days) it will be necessary usually to give but 1 injection of 16 minims each day.”

In a request for the admission of its preparation to New and Non­official Remedies, the Horovitz Biochemic Laboratories Co. stated:

“The composition of Lipoidal Substance is (a) Lipoids of plant origin, (b) Vitamines (water soluble) of plant origin, (c) Non-specific plant proteins, (d) Preservatives—None.”

While the communication abounded in generalities, it gave neither the identity nor character of the lipoids, of the vitamins nor of the nonspecific protein, nor their quantities or methods for their control. The firm presented no evidence that the injection of “Lipoidal Substances” produced any effect other than by suggestion. Also, while a long list of references to publications bearing on lipoids was submitted (many of which had no bearing on the subject under consideration) there was no reference to the work of Horovitz quoted in the firm’s advertising.

After examining the information which had been submitted, the Council requested the manufacturer to supply:

1. Information as to the character (identity) of the several ingredients contained in the preparation that it marketed, the amount of each ingredient so far as known and the method used for their control.

2. Evidence that the administration of “Lipoidal Substances” is of value in the treatment of drug addiction.

3. Evidence for the claims that the “researches” of Horovitz have proved that “in patients suffering from narcotic addiction disease there is an inactivity of the lymph-glands ... and the system is not supplied with the necessary fats” and that “lipoidal content of the cerebro-spinal system varies in strict accordance with the pathological processes introduced by infection or by alkaloids” and that “the lipoids of various other organs as well as those of the nervous system, may be extracted and consumed by the administration of narcotic alkaloids.”

The Horovitz Biochemic Laboratories replied that the requested information would be supplied in about two weeks. At the expiration of three months the promised information and evidence had not been received; neither had any reports to show the value of the treatment come to the attention of the Council. The Council, accordingly, declared “Lipoidal Substances” (Horovitz Biochemic Laboratories) inadmissible to New and Non­official Remedies because the composition is essentially secret and because the curative claims are unsubstantiated and unwarranted.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Feb. 25, 1922.)