Alcohol Reactions after Single and Multiple Doses of Calcium Cyanamide

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
To investigate the adequacy of test reactions to alcohol after single doses of citrated calcium cyanamide, a single dose of 100 mg of the drug was given to 15 outpatient alcoholics at the Maudsley Hospital, London, followed by 50 ml of whisky about 2 hours later, and their reactions were compared with those of 19 inpatients who had been given the drug for at least a week. All the patients were healthy men, their ages ranging from 23 to 60 years with a mean of 43. Symptoms appeared within 2 to 5 minutes after the alcohol in most patients. Cardiovascular symptoms predominated, with facial suffusion and conjunctival reddening; palpitations were common; 4 of the older patients suffered anginal pain; many complained of headache. Symptoms were maximal in 10 to 20 min. in 24 patients and in 20 to 40 min. in 10 patients. No significant symptom differences were found between the 2 groups. The supine pulse rate rose to its peak 15 to 25 min. after the alcohol, the mean rise being 40 beats per min. The supine blood pressure showed gradual and minor diminution; the standing blood pressure showed more marked diminution with a mean drop of about 35 mm Hg in both groups. Distilled-spirits drinkers had a significantly greater rise in pulse rate (p < .001) and greater drop in systolic blood pressure (p < .05) than beer drinkers. The older and lighter patients showed greater cardiovascular effects. No significant intergroup differences were found. About 80% of the patients reported that the reaction would have real deterrent value. It is concluded that cyanamide is a feasible adjunct to outpatient therapy of alcoholics. The test dose of alcohol recommended is 0.28 ml per kg of body weight, reduced by 10% per decade in patients aged over 50 years and increased by 10% per decade in those under 40.