A Method for Evaluating both Non-Narcotic and Narcotic Analgesics

TLDR

The method uses the specific antagonism of analgesics to the syndrome induced by intraperitoneal 2‑phenyl‑1,4‑benzo‑quinone in mice, with a sharp, simple, quantitative endpoint. It demonstrates that antagonism occurs at doses far below those producing toxicity, correlates with clinical efficacy, and offers a simple quantitative assessment of both non‑narcotic and narcotic analgesics.

Abstract

A simple method has been designed for evaluating both non-narcotic and narcotic analgesics. The method is based upon the specific antagonism of analgesics to the typical “syndrome” produced by intra-peritoneal injection of 2-phenyl-1,4-benzo-quinone in mice. The antagonism occurs at doses far below those producing depression or other toxic effects. There is also a good correlation between clinical efficacy of a number of analgesics and their relative potency as established by this method. The endpoint is sharp, and the method is simple and quantitative.