As you know, many drugs are toxic to the body. It all depends on what dosage to use this or that drug. There are also substances that are poisons. Their use is very dangerous. Nevertheless, some of them are used in medicine. For example, drugs created on the basis of bee and snake venom, strychnine. The dose of such medications must be strictly observed. After all, if you exceed the amount of the active substance, you can cause not only severe poisoning, but also death. An example is the drug strychnine. The poison contained in this substance is very toxic to humans and animals. But when used in small quantities, it has a therapeutic effect.
Strychnine - what is it?
This substance is of plant origin. It is used not only for medical purposes, but also as a poison for rodents. Given the high toxicity, people who are prescribed drugs based on this substance ask: strychnine - what is it? It is known that this tool was allocated back in 1818. Get it in the laboratory. Where is strychnine contained and to which chemicals? This tool is a natural indole alkaloid. It is contained in the seeds of the plant chilibuha. They are also called "vomit nuts". Chilibuha grows in the tropical climate of Africa and Asia. In addition to strychnine, the seeds contain other alkaloids. For example, the substance is brucin. For medical purposes, strychnine nitrate is made in laboratory conditions, in other words, nitrate salt. In large doses, the alkaloids contained in the seeds of chiliibuha are considered poisons. They have a high degree of toxicity and are deadly to humans.
The effect of strychnine on the body
Strychnine substance - what is it? Some data on the effects of this tool can be found in literary works. Among them are novels by famous classics of Jack London, Agatha Christie. In these works, the heroes die due to the effects of this poison. In addition, the English writer Herbert Wells describes in one of his stories a biological stimulant, thanks to which a person feels a surge of strength. It's about strychnine. In fact, this substance has a similar property. This action of strychnine is due to the fact that it can block some neurotransmitters. Among them, glycine is a substance that inhibits the conduction of impulses along the spinal cord. Due to this effect, strychnine is considered a means of exciting the nervous system.
When using small doses of this substance in the body, the following processes occur:
- Stimulation of the senses. This enhances functions such as smell, hearing, touch, taste and vision.
- Excitation of skeletal muscle and myocardium.
- Strengthening metabolic processes in the body.
- Excitation of the nervous system, including the respiratory and vasomotor center.
The use of strychnine in pharmacology
Given the effect of strychnine on the nervous system, it is also used in medicine. Nevertheless, medicines that contain this poison are used only in cases of emergency. Medicines include strychnine nitrate. It practically does not dissolve in cold water and ether. Nitrate is a white powder composed of crystals. Medicines containing this substance belong to class 1 drugs, that is, they are especially dangerous drugs. Given its effects, strychnine is used for diseases accompanied by inhibition of nerve impulses. The main branch of medicine in which such drugs are used is neurology. In addition to pharmacology, strychnine is used as a poison to control rodents - mice and rats. Previously, the substance was used only for deratization.
What preparations contain strychnine
So, "strychnine" - what is it and what medicines does it contain? Drugs that have this poison in their composition belong to the group of stimulants of the central nervous system. In pharmacological practice, there are 2 medicines containing strychnine. These include:
- Tincture of Chilibuha. It is a bitter tasting brown liquid. Strict adherence to the following ratio is necessary: 16 grams of dry matter (chiliibuha extract) per 1 liter of 70% alcohol solution. This medicine contains not only strychnine. The composition of the drug is represented by other alkaloids, including brucine. Tincture contains 0.25% of the active substance.
- Dry extract of a plant of chilibuha. It is also called an emetic drug . It is a brown powder. It is odorless. For use, the powder is dissolved in water. In this case, a ratio of 1/10 is observed. The powder contains about 16% of the alkaloids of chilibuha - strychnine and brucine.
These drugs do not have commercial names. Used in the form of a solution and tablets.
Preparations containing strychnine: instructions for use
Given that strychnine is a particularly dangerous poison, it is very important to follow the instructions for use. In no case should you exceed the therapeutic dose of the medication! You should also pay attention to contraindications to the use of preparations containing strychnine. Such medicines should not be used for children under 2 years old, pregnant and lactating women. Only the attending physician can prescribe the drug. So, medicines containing strychnine: instructions for use.
- Oral medication. In most cases, drugs are taken orally. To do this, use an alcoholic extract of chilibuha and tablets (contain dry extract). Depending on the severity of symptoms, age and weight of the patient. Adults are recommended a dose of 0.5 to 1 mg 2-3 times a day. If the dosage form of the drug is alcohol tincture, then 3-10 drops are prescribed (in 1 dose). The maximum dose for adults is 5 mg per day. For children, the amount of active substance is selected individually, depending on body weight. A single dose is from 0.1 to 0.5 mg.
- Subcutaneous administration of the drug. A 0.1% strychnine solution is used. The daily dose is 1 ml (1 ampoule) of the drug.
Indication of strychnine
Despite the effectiveness of medicines containing strychnine, they are prescribed in rare cases. Most doctors recommend less hazardous drugs to patients. Nevertheless, there are cases when the appointment of strychnine is necessary. The following indications for the use of such medicines are distinguished:
- Severe neurological disorders. Among them - paralysis and paresis of limbs after a stroke.
- Lack of appetite. Given that strychnine nitrate has a pronounced bitter taste, it stimulates the desire to eat.
- Violation of visual acuity and vision. In this case, drugs are prescribed only in those cases when there are functional changes in the functioning of the senses.
- Impotence. Currently, preparations containing strychnine are practically not used for erectile dysfunction.
- Chronic alcoholism that cannot be treated with other drugs.
Contraindications strychnine
Strychnine preparations are contraindicated for people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system (angina pectoris, hypertension, atherosclerosis) and the respiratory system (bronchial asthma, COPD). Also, they can not be used for pathologies of the thyroid gland, liver and kidney failure. It is strictly forbidden to prescribe such medications during pregnancy, lactation, children under the age of 2 years and people who have a history of convulsive syndrome.
Symptoms of strychnine poisoning
An extremely dangerous condition is strychnine poisoning. Symptoms in this case resemble the clinical picture of tetanus. The following signs of poisoning are distinguished : photophobia, respiratory depression, cramps, spasm of the masticatory muscles, impaired swallowing. A lethal dose of strychnine is considered 1 mg per kg of body weight.