Botulism, type A, and treatment with guanidine.

Abstract

In a double-blind crossover study in which patients received placebo or active drug for varying periods, we evaluated the ability of guanidine hydrochloride (20 to 35 mg/kg per day perorally) to improve the rate of recovery in patients with moderate or severe botulism, type A, intoxication. Among 14 patients who received conventional botulism therapy, there was no improvement in recovery rate in those who received guanidine compared with the nontreated group. Individual patients in the treated group showed neither an acceleration in their rate of improvement when they received guanidine nor a regression in their progress when the drug was stopped. Individual patients, likewise, noted no subjective improvement when they received the drug compared with the placebo. Treatment with guanidine does not enhance recovery from botulism.

• Authors: J E Kaplan, L E Davis, V Narayan, J Koster, D Katzenstein
• Journal: Annals of neurology (Ann Neurol) Vol. 6 Issue 1 Pg. 69-71 (Jul 1979) ISSN: 0364-5134 [Print] United States
• PMID: 389150 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Guanidines

Topics

• Botulism (drug therapy)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Double-Blind Method
• Guanidines (therapeutic use)
• Humans