Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 8, 99-117, Copyright © 1961 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

Experimental and Clinical Experience with Toxiferine (Alkaloid of Calabash Curare)

¹ Department of Anaesthesia of the University Clinics, Mainz (Director: Professor R. Frey, M.D., F.F.A.R.C.S.)
² Department of Anaesthesia of the University Clinics, Mainz

The Calabash alkaloid Toxiferine is the most potent and long-acting relaxant of the curare group available to the clinic. As little as 2 mg. produces sufficient relaxation for all operative interventions in adults, of a marked degree for 30 minutes and slowly wearing off during the next 30 minutes.

As shown in 30 auto-investigations and 100 clinical cases, the drug is appropriate for muscle relaxation during operations of more than one hour duration. In addition, it is of value as a "basic relaxant" because it can be antagonized by Prostigmin and can be combined with other relaxants.

Only minor side-effects were observed: there was no marked histamine release or pronounced effect on blood pressure and pulse rate. There were no accidents or deaths among our cases.

Further clinical investigations of Toxiferine are justified, especially for long-lasting relaxation in cases of tetanus and neurological disease. Contraindications are: short-lasting operations; myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica; disturbances of electrolyte and acetylcholinesterase metabolism.

Note:

Paper read at the World Congress of Anaesthesiologists in Toronto, Sept. 8, 1960.