The use of Atophan is proposed “In Influenza (Grippe) for the ready alleviation of the respiratory congestion, pain and stiffness of limbs and back.” Probably the entire claim is without warrant, since influenza is a self-limited disease. Atophan might relieve pain in the joints, reduce the fever, etc., but at the same time it would tend to impair the functional efficiency of the heart, which may be impaired already by the disease. Cardiac failure is one of the causes of death in influenza. The recommendation for “alleviating respiratory congestion” is certainly without warrant, since in actual trial in pulmonary congestion by Magnus et al., Atophan was found to be deleterious and not beneficial. Phosgenized cats are probably as good a test object for the alleged decongestive action of Atophan as anything could be, since, according to Underhill and Ringer (J. A. M. A. 75:1531, 1920) the pathological physiology of the circulation and respiration in phosgene poisoning and influenza are nearly identical.
Further, Atophan is recommended “In Pyorrhea Alveolaris as a systemic support to local and specific measures.” Atophan is not indicated here. Pyorrhea requires local medication, if anything at all. It could exert no local beneficial effects in this condition; indeed, the employment of Atophan might lead to irritation. Good dental treatment is more essential than medication.
Finally, Schering and Glatz advise Atophan “In Eczema, Pruritus and similar irritant and itching Skin Diseases with lowered blood alkalinity.” The assumption that blood alkalinity is lowered in irritant and itching disease is unsupported by evidence in medical literature and the recommendation is incorrect and misleading. Neither does Atophan alter the reaction of the blood. Amelioration in these capricious conditions occurs without medication so that any relief that might be obtained could not be attributed to Atophan. The entire paragraph is misleading and will undoubtedly tend to extend the use of Atophan in conditions for which it is not suited.—(From Reports of Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, 1921, p. 8.)
UROTROPIN OMITTED FROM N. N. R.
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
Urotropin is a proprietary name applied to the substance which is known in chemical literature as hexamethylenetetramin and which is designated hexamethylenamine in the U. S. Pharmacopeia. The Council has authorized publication of the following report explaining that Urotropin was omitted from New and Nonofficial Remedies because Schering & Glatz, Inc. (the firm that markets this brand of hexamethylenamin in the United States), refused to place the U. S. Pharmacopeia name Hexamethylenamine (hexamethylenamina) on the label and in its advertising so as to make clear to physicians the identity of the product, and, furthermore, because it was sold under therapeutic claims which the Council held unwarranted.
W. A. Puckner, Secretary.
Commercial History of Hexamethylenamin
This substance which is generally referred to in chemical literature as hexamethylenetetramin, the cyclic condensation product of formaldehyd and ammonia, appears to have been described first in 1860 (Butlerow: Ann. d. Chem. 115:322, 1860). Subsequently, numerous references to the preparation, properties and constitution of the substance appeared in chemical literature.