MINSON’S SOLUBLE IODIN “KELPIDINE” NOT ADMITTED TO N. N. R.
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
Minson’s Soluble Iodin “Kelpidine” was submitted to the Council by J. J. Minson, Washington, D. C., trading as the Kelpidine Company, with the statement that in future “literature” it was to be known as Minson’s Soluble Iodin, only. The following statement of composition was furnished:
“Minson’s Soluble Iodin is somewhat of an indefinite character, chemically. Its formula is, Iodin 4 per cent., Distilled Water 6 per cent., and Absolute Alcohol q. s. 100 per cent. By a process of chilling and heating an iodid of uncertain character is produced, and because of the extreme sensitiveness of the product to chemical tests, it is hard to determine. So far as I have been able to judge, however, the result is about 3 or 31⁄2 per cent. free iodin and from 1⁄2 per cent. to 1 per cent. iodid, possibly ethyl and hydrogen iodid in combination.”
The A. M. A. Chemical Laboratory reports that the preparation is an alcoholic solution containing free iodin and iodid, probably hydrogen iodid and ethyl iodid, but that the free iodin content was only 2.69 gm. per 100 c.c.
It is claimed that the “therapeutic indications” of Minson’s Soluble Iodin are the “same as those of all iodin and iodid preparations, internally, externally, hypodermically and intravenously; excepting, however, counter irritation.” It is admitted that there are no “clinical reports” as to the hypodermic and intravenous use, but the belief is expressed “that in an emergency it is a safe remedy under proper dilution.” It is further claimed that “for all practical purposes it is nontoxic and nonirritating” and that “it has none of the undesirable features such as is the case with the iodids and the organic preparations of iodin, proprietary or otherwise.”
It was assigned for consideration to the Committee on Pharmacology, whose referee reported:
“According to the information submitted, this is a tincture of iodin; differing from the official tincture in that it is more dilute and in that hydrogen and ethyl iodid is the solvent in place of potassium iodid. It is practically immaterial for internal administration, whether the cation of the solvent iodid is hydrogen, ethyl, potassium or sodium. It would certainly be inadvisable to inject a preparation containing free iodin hypodermically. It is not ‘a safe remedy’ for intravenous injection and it would not be nonirritant. The statement that ‘it has none of the undesirable features’ of other iodin compounds is inherently impossible. Apparent freedom of any iodin preparation from undesirable effects is generally due to the use of small doses. Such claims are plainly therapeutic exaggerations and therefore in conflict with Rule 6. Even should these be removed, the preparation must be held an unessential modification of the official tincture, and therefore in conflict with Rule 10.”
The report was agreed to by the committee and adopted by the Council and Minson’s Soluble Iodin “Kelpidine” declared inadmissible to New and Nonofficial Remedies.—(From Reports of Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, 1917, p. 152.)