Glutethimide Poisoning

Abstract

IN a short period glutethimide (Doriden), or alpha-ethyl-alpha-phenyl-glutarimide, has become a very popular nonbarbiturate sedative. In a recent prescription survey the drug was the sixth most popular sedative.1 The five sedatives that preceded it were barbiturates. It is obvious that such popularity may be accompanied by overdosages of the drug.On the basis of the LD50 for mice, it has been estimated that the lethal dose for adult human beings would be about 40 gm. (500–600 mg. per kilogram of body weight).2 Since the usual therapeutic dose is 0.25 to 0.50 gm. there should be an extremely good margin . . .