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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 February 2018
β-Dimethylamine ethyl 2-methylbenzhydryl ether hydrochloride (Orphenadrine, “Disipal”) is a synthetic substance closely resembling in chemical structure the antihistamine dephenhydramine (“Benadryl”). It was developed in Holland (Harms, 1957) for use in parkinsonism and in this context reported upon favourably in this country by Gillhespy and Ratcliffe (1956). Claims have also been made that the drug is (i) effective in treating the pseudo-parkinsonism produced by reserpine, (ii) active in alleviating other (e.g. autonomic or vasomotor) side-effects of reserpine, (iii) has independent “psychic” activity, or (iv) enhances the tranquillizing effect of reserpine (Frieswinkel, 1957a, 1957b; Van Rhijn, 1957; Meulenbeld, 1957; Scheurle, 1957). The following trial is designed to assess some of these claims.
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