TRIPLE ARSENATES WITH NUCLEIN
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
The Council has declared Triple Arsenates with Nuclein No. 1 and Triple Arsenates with Nuclein No. 2, tablets marketed by the Abbott Laboratories, inadmissible to New and Nonofficial Remedies because unwarranted therapeutic claims (Rule 6) are made for them and because they present an illogical combination of drugs (Rule 10). The publication of the following report has been authorized by the Council.
W. A. Puckner, Secretary.
The following claims are made for Triple Arsenates with Nuclein:
“Puts ‘pep’ and strength back into that patient recovering from Spanish Influenza, pneumonia, typhoid, or surgical operation. An extremely powerful reconstructive tonic. Try it for that ‘run down’ feeling.”
Triple Arsenates with Nuclein is said to contain “Strychnin Arsenate gr. 1⁄128, Quinin Arsenate gr. 1⁄64, Iron Arsenate gr. 1⁄64, Nuclein Solution mins. 4.” A second preparation, of double strength—Triple Arsenates with Nuclein No. 2—is also advertised. The Council voted not to accept these preparations for New and Nonofficial Remedies on the following grounds:
The quantities of quinin, iron and nuclein in the doses represented in these mixtures are negligible; thus, one tablet of Triple Arsenates with Nuclein containing 1⁄64 grain of quinin arsenate contains only about 1⁄90 grain of anhydrous quinin; the tablet containing 1⁄64 grain of iron arsenate contains 1⁄210 grain of iron; 4 minims of the nuclein solution (assuming it to be the “Nuclein Solution-Abbott”) would contain but 2⁄5 of a grain of nuclein—a substance which even in large doses is of questionable therapeutic value. The amounts of iron and nuclein contained in doses of this preparation are insignificant in comparison with the amounts present in ordinary foods. The only substances present in even small therapeutic doses are strychnin and arsenic. The effects of arsenic and strychnin are very different and there are comparatively few conditions in which they should be prescribed at the same time. Hence a preparation containing these two in fixed proportions is illogical.—(From Reports of Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, 1919, p. 92.)