FATAL URETHAN POISONING AFTER TOPICAL THERAPY WITH URETHAN

27 October 1956

journal article
research article
Published by American Medical Association (AMA) in JAMA

Vol. 162 (9) , 882-884
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1956.72970260001010

Abstract

Urethan (ethyl carbamate) has been used as an anesthetic agent in experimental animals for many years. It has the advantage of producing satisfactory anesthesia without respiratory depression. This property has been put to use in obstetrics.¹Observations of its effect on the hemopoietic system and mitotic cells has led to its use in the treatment of leukemia²and other malignant diseases.³The cytotoxic action of urethan can be responsible for renal and hepatic damage in addition to bone-marrow depression and sedation. Nausea, vomiting, and anorexia are undesirable side-effects. Reports by Weinstein⁴and Howe⁵on bacteriostatic action indicate its value in the treatment of wounds and burns. Howe,⁶reporting on the toxic effects of topically applied urethan in 67 patients, found no hematological changes or evidence of liver damage. The amounts used ranged from 30 to 600 cc. of 10% solution daily for 2 to

Keywords

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: