MEDEOL SUPPOSITORIES

Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry

The following report on Medeol Suppositories has been adopted by the Council, and its publication authorized.

W. A. Puckner, Secretary.

“Medeol Suppositories” (Medeol Company, Inc., New York) appear to be an imitation of “Anusol Suppositories” which, in 1907, were found to be inadmissible to New and Non­official Remedies. A comparison of the composition and of the claims made for the two preparations will be of interest in the present consideration of Medeol Suppositories:

Anusol Suppositories (1909)   Medeol Suppositories (1917)

Anusoli

 7.5

Medeol

0.25

Zinc oxid

 6.0

Zinc oxid

0.5

Balsam Peru

 1.5

Acid. tannic

0.15

Ol. theobrom.

19.0

Bals. Peru

0.16

Ungt. cerat.

 2.5Cocoa butter and wax q. s.
for 1 suppository.
for 12 suppositories.

“Anusol” was formerly said to be bismuth iodo­resorcin­sulphonate. The A. M. A. Chemical Laboratory published a report in 1909 showing that the suppositories contained only 1 per cent. of the iodin declared in the “formula,” and were greatly deficient in bismuth and sulphur. After the publication of the report the American agents for the product disclaimed that “Anusol” was a definite chemical compound. Today Anusol Suppositories are said to contain unstated amounts of the indefinite “bismuth oxyiodid and resorcin­sulphonate.”

“Medeol” is said to be “resorcinated iodo bismuth,” but no information is vouchsafed as to the character or composition of the ingredient. The therapeutic claims made for the two preparations are similar, as the following, taken from circulars, show:

Anusol Suppositories