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

*Potassii Bromidum (Pot. Brom.), Potassium Bromide, U.S.P.—KBr.

White crystals or granular powder, odorless and having a strongly saline taste. Freely soluble in water (1:1.5); slightly soluble in alcohol (1:250).

Action and Uses: Nerve sedative; diminishes reflex excitability and depresses the motor area of the cortex. Similar to sodium bromide, but more likely to disturb digestion.

Dosage: 1 Gm. or 15 grains (U.S.P.); preferably administered by itself in simple dilute solutions; increased if necessary. Long-continued administration should be interrupted occasionally to prevent bromism and accumulation in the system.

Elixir Potassii Bromidi (Elix. Pot. Brom.), Elixir of Potassium Bromide, N.F.—Potassium bromide (17.5%) in syrup, water and aromatic elixir; may be colored with compound tincture of cudbear. Absolute alcohol content about 7.5 per cent.

Dosage: 8 Cc. or 2 fluidrachms (N.F.).

Sal Potassii Bromidi Effervescens (Sal Pot. Brom. Eff.), Effervescent Salt of Potassium Bromide, N.F. (Pulvis Potassii Bromidi Effervescens, N.F. III).—Potassium bromide (16.6%), sodium bicarbonate (53%), tartaric acid (20.4%) and citric acid, the last-named three yielding sodium citrate and sodium carbonate.

Dosage: 6 Gm. or 1-1/2 drachms.

Sal Potassii Bromidi Effervescens Compositus (Sal Pot. Brom. Eff. Co.), Compound Effervescent Salt of Potassium Bromide, N.F. (Pulvis Potassii Bromidi Effervescens cum Caffeina, N.F. III, Effervescent Potassium Bromide with Caffeine).—Caffeine (0.8%) and potassium bromide (8.3%) in a mixture of sodium bicarbonate (58.7%), lithium carbonate (4.2%), tartaric acid (18%) and citric acid. (Yielding citrate and tartrate of lithium and sodium.)

Uses: “Headache” mixture; generally undesirable.