Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dzt6s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-31T16:18:49.194Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Physiological Dependence on, and Symptoms of Withdrawal from, Chlormethiazole

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Terence M. Reilly
Terence M. Reilly*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, The Middlesex Hospital, Mortimer Street, London, W.1
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

The uses of chlormethiazole (Heminevrin) are briefly mentioned. Differing views of its potential for producing dependence are discussed. The consensus opinion is taken to be that a risk of psychological dependence does exist, but only one case has appeared in the medical literature to date of physiological dependence on chlormethiazole, with withdrawal symptoms. This case is re-examined. A second case is described in which the features of increasing dosage and withdrawal were followed by confusion, disorientation, delusions, hallucinations and muscular spasm and coarse jerking. This is taken as confirmation of the potential of chlormethiazole to produce physiological dependence. Some personal opinions of the author regarding indications for use and incidence of abuse are briefly mentioned.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 128 , Issue 4 , April 1976 , pp. 375 - 378
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1976 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Asander, H. (1962) Ambulatory treatment of alcoholics with Heminevrin. Svenska Lakertidningen, 59, 418—24.Google Scholar
Blumenthal, M. & Pikhamen, T. (1965) Is there a risk of addiction to Heminevrin? Svenska Lakertidningen, 62, 459—60.Google Scholar
Flatten, O. (1971) Heminevrin and the risk of habituation. Tidsskrift den Norske Laegeforening, 91, 2254—5.Google Scholar
Glatt, M. M. (1966) Chlormethiazole (‘Heminevrin’). Prescriber's Journal, 5, 90—1.Google Scholar
Huffmann, G. & Leven, B. (1965) On the results of treatment of alcohol- and drug-induced delirium with Distraneurin. Therapie der Gegenwart, 104, 1663—75.Google Scholar
Isbell, H. & Chrusciel, T. L. (1970) Dependence liability of ‘non-narcotic’ drugs. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, Supplement, 43, 5—105.Google Scholar
Kielholz, P. & Ladewig, D. (1974) Chlormethiazole dependence. Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift, 99, 1427.Google Scholar
Kryspin-Exner, von K. & Mader, R. (1971) Withdrawal delirium in chlormethiazole addiction. Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift, 121, 811—12.Google ScholarPubMed
Lundquist, G. (1966) The risk of dependence on chlormethiazole. Acta Psychiatrien Scandinavica, Supplement 42, 203—7.Google Scholar
Olsen, O. (1968) Heminevrin in the treatment of alcoholism. Experience from the alcohol clinic in Kristiansand. Tidsskrift den Norske Laegeforening, 88, 273—4.Google Scholar
Sattes, H. (1969) The danger of addiction to Distraneurin. Medizinische Klinik, 64, 430—3.Google Scholar
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.