[Novonal (diaethylallylacetamide) poisoning (author's transl)].

Abstract

Novonal, a hypnotic dispensed without medical prescription in West Germany, has in the past two years been used relatively often in suicide attempts. It is quickly absorbed after oral intake, with a blood half-life of 6-11 hours, most of it being excreted by the kidneys after metabolic degradation. Analysis of 23 cases of Novonal intoxication revealed that cardiac arrhythmias, hypotension and respiratory depression may occur with 6 g Novonal (contained in a pocket of 20 tablets) and must thus be rated as potentially lethal. In severe cases of poisoning haemoperfusion or haemodialysis may be useful. Pharmacological data suggest that forced diuresis is ineffective.

• Authors: K E Mühlendahl, E G Krienke
• Journal: Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946) (Dtsch Med Wochenschr) Vol. 102 Issue 44 Pg. 1591-3 (Nov 04 1977) ISSN: 0012-0472 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Vergiflungen mit Novonal (Diaethylallylacetamid).
• PMID: 923433 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Acetamides

Topics

• Acetamides (poisoning)
• Administration, Oral
• Arrhythmias, Cardiac (chemically induced)
• Female
• Half-Life
• Hemoperfusion
• Humans
• Hypotension (chemically induced)
• Male
• Renal Dialysis
• Respiration Disorders (chemically induced)
• Suicide, Attempted