A Study of the Calcium Carbimide‐Ethanol Interaction in Man: Symptom Responses

Abstract

Oral administration of ethanol up to 24 hr following calcium carbimide (CO. 0.7 mg/kg, produced an increase in blood acetaldehyde level, tachycardia, and increased pulse pressure due mainly to decrease in diastolic blood pressure, with reports of palpitations, shortness of breath, and facial warmth by most subjects. Positive linear correlations existed between acetaldehyde level and physiologic changes and acetaldehyde level and symptom responses, but there was appreciable individual variability in these responses. The magnitude and duration of chemical and physiological changes were greatest for the 4‐hr CC pretreatment interval and the 0.5 g/kg ethanol dose. For the 12‐hr CC pretreatment interval, symptoms were reported for the times of increased acetaldehyde level and as the CC pretreatment interval was shortened, symptom responses were intense but more variable. Symptom response ceased before the acetaldehyde level decreased below 4.0 g/ml and the heart rate declined below 100 beats/min. Symptom responses were significant compared to control for the 0.5 g/kg ethanol dose only. Two of 11 subjects expressed the desire for more ethanol during the 0.5 g/kg ethanol‐12‐hr CC pretreatment interaction. The results are discussed with respect to the clinical use of CC in alcoholism treatment .