Dosage: 30 Gm. or 1 ounce (U.S.P.).
*Pepsinum (Pepsin.), Pepsin, U.S.P.—Contains a proteolytic ferment or enzyme from the stomach of the hog.
White or yellowish scales, grains, or powder, having a slightly acid or saline taste and no offensive odor. Soluble in water (1:50); nearly insoluble in alcohol. Digests 3000 times its own weight of coagulated egg albumen.
Action and Uses: Used to assist in the gastric digestion of proteins. Usually superfluous, since gastric juice generally contains sufficient pepsin to perform gastric digestion. The alcohol of the elixirs and wines may be distinctly harmful in gastric disorders, while the other ingredients of the many complex mixtures need be prescribed only when direct indications for them exist. Many of these mixtures are irrational.
Dosage: 0.5 Gm. or 8 grains (U.S.P.).
Elixir Cinchonae Alkaloidorum, Ferri et Pepsini (Elix. Cinchon. Ferr. et Pepsin.), Elixir of Cinchona Alkaloids, Iron and Pepsin, N.F. (Elixir Cinchonae, Ferri et Pepsini, N.F. III, Elixir of Calisaya, Alkaloidal with Iron and Pepsin).—Glycerite of pepsin (20%) and elixir of cinchona alkaloids and iron. Absolute alcohol content about 15 per cent.
Dosage: 8 Cc. or 2 fluidrachms (N.F.).
Elixir Pepsini (Elix. Pepsin.), Elixir of Pepsin, N.F.—Glycerite of pepsin (20%), glycerin (10%), hydrochloric acid (0.4%) and aromatic elixir. Absolute alcohol content about 15 per cent.
Dosage: 8 Cc. or 2 fluidrachms (N.F.).
Elixir Pepsini, Bismuthi et Strychninae.—See under Strychnina.