ORAL "MYANESIN" IN TREATMENT OF SPASTIC AND HYPERKINETIC DISORDERS

Abstract

The interesting pharmacologic properties of (3-ortho-toloxy-1,2-propanediol), such as its power to relax spasticity and rigidity, its action to restore deranged reciprocal innervation and its inhibiting effect on certain release symptoms, suggested that this drug may be useful in the production of muscular relaxation during anesthesia and for the treatment of certain spastic and hyperkinetic disorders. Myanesin has since been widely used for muscle relaxation during anesthesia in Great Britain, and it was recently reported that 10,000 patients received intravenous injections of this agent.3 The value of myanesin in the treatment of spastic and hyperkinetic disorders has not been examined as extensively. Stephen and Chandy4obtained short-lived beneficial effects on certain diseases of the extrapyramidal nervous system on intravenous administration of a 10 per cent solution of the drug. They also observed localized thrombophlebitis and transient hemoglobinuria following administration. These side effects were due to the solvents used