OXYL-IODIDE NOT ADMITTED TO N. N. R.
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
“Oxyl-Iodide” (Eli Lilly and Co.) is said to be the hydroiodid of cinchophen and the claim is made that it exerts the effects of cinchophen and of iodid. Because of inquiries which have been received the Council decided to determine the eligibility of “Oxyl-Iodide” for New and Nonofficial Remedies. Dr. P. J. Hanzlik—formerly Associate Professor of Pharmacology at Western Reserve University School of Medicine, now Professor of Pharmacology at Leland Stanford Junior University Medical School—who has made a study of the action of salicylates and cinchophen, was asked to report on the therapeutic value and the rationality of “Oxyl-Iodide.” This he consented to do and his report appears below.
After considering Doctor Hanzlik’s report, the Council declared “Oxyl-Iodide” inadmissible to New and Nonofficial Remedies because it is an irrational combination, marketed under claims that are unproved and consequently unwarranted.
W. A. Puckner, Secretary.
“Oxyl-Iodide,” marketed by Eli Lilly & Co., is claimed to be the hydroiodid of phenylcinchoninic acid, containing 33 per cent. of iodin and 67 per cent. of phenylcinchoninic acid (cinchophen). Its solubility resembles that of cinchophen, being low in water and acid mediums, and higher in the presence of alkalis. Whether “oxyl-iodide” is decomposed into its constituents in the presence of alkalis does not appear to have been determined. However, if this were the case, the intestine, after administration of “oxyl-iodide,” would contain cinchophen and sodium iodid in the same forms as if these agents were administered individually so that nothing would be gained by administering “oxyl-iodide.” Being, like cinchophen, practically insoluble in acid mediums, “oxyl-iodide” would have no advantage over the latter so far as gastric irritation is concerned.
DOSAGE
The dosage advised is from one to three tablets containing 3 grains (0.2 gm.) each of “oxyl-iodide.” The total dosage would depend on the condition to be treated. In rheumatic fever, which requires a full therapeutic or so-called, “toxic” dose of cinchophen, about 12 to 13 gm. would be administered intensively. Since each tablet of “oxyl-iodide” contains 0.13 gm. of cinchophen, the total number of tablets of “oxyl-iodide” required would be 100, or two and one-half bottles of forty tablets each. At the same time the patient would receive 6.6 gm. of iodin (as iodid). This might be distinctly objectionable because of the production of the disagreeable symptoms of iodism in some persons, and indicates that the fixed proportion of the iodin constituent would be objectionable.
Even a smaller dosage, such as 5 gm. of cinchophen, which gives partial relief in rheumatism and similar conditions, would still require a patient to take a full bottle, or forty tablets, of “oxyl-iodide,” and at the same time about 2.7 gm. of iodin would have to be ingested.
Furthermore, rheumatic fever, the arthritides, gout and related conditions in which cinchophen is indicated do not require iodid. Therefore, “oxyl-iodide” would not be the remedy of choice in these conditions, and its use would be irrational and illogical.