Epitome of the Pharmacopeia of the United States and the National Formulary / With Comments

by Albion Walter Hewlett; William August Puckner; Torald Hermann Sollmann; Martin I. Wilbert

Action and Uses: A powerful irritant hydragogue cathartic. Because of its drastic nature it is rarely used alone. The various compound pills listed below are needlessly complex and therefore irrational. Because of their irritant character, they are especially unsuited for continued use.

Dosage: 0.06 Gm. or 1 grain.

*Extractum Colocynthidis (Ext. Colocynth.), Extract of Colocynth, U.S.P. (Powdered Extract of Colocynth).—One Gm. of extract represents 4 Gm. of colocynth.

Dosage: 0.015 Gm. or 1/4 grain (U.S.P.).

*Extractum Colocynthidis Compositum (Ext. Colocynth. Co.), Compound Extract of Colocynth, U.S.P. (Powdered Compound Extract of Colocynth).—Extract of colocynth (16%), aloes (50%), resin of scammony (14%), cardamom seed and soap.

Dosage: 0.25 Gm. or 4 grains (U.S.P.).

Pilulae Catharticae Compositae (Pil. Cathart. Co.), Compound Cathartic Pills, U.S.P.—Each pill contains compound extract of colocynth (0.08 Gm. or 1-1/3 grains), mild mercurous chloride (0.06 Gm. or 1 grain), resin of jalap (0.02 Gm. or 1/3 grain) and gamboge (0.015 Gm. or 1/4 grain).

Dosage: 2 pills (U.S.P.).

Pilulae Catharticae Vegetabiles (Pil. Cathart. Veget.), Vegetable Cathartic Pills, N.F.—Each pill contains compound extract of colocynth (0.06 Gm. or 1 grain), extract of hyoscyamus (0.03 Gm. or 1/2 grain), resin of jalap (0.02 Gm. or 1/3 grain), extract of leptandra and resin of podophyllum (each 0.015 Gm. or 1/4 grain) with oil of peppermint.

Dosage: 2 pills (N.F.).