Abstract
CI-581, a phencyclidine derivative, was used intravenously as well as in-tramuscularly in 150 patients and its action as an anesthetic agent was evaluated. The results indicated that the drug was an effective anaglesic and anesthetic agent in intravenous dose of 2mg/kg and intramuscular dose of 10mg/kg, respectively. The onset of its action was rapid even on intramuscular administration. The duration of action was short in cases of a single dose injection, but the recovery from anesthesia was prolonged remarkably after its repeated intramuscular admin-istrations. Respiratory depression was slight and transient. Blood pressure rose sometimes up to undesirable levels following the intravenous administration of the drug. At the emergence from anesthesia a considerable number of patients had vivid dreams, which were usually short-lasting and seldom associated with severe mental confusion or irrational behavior. In spite of these shortcomings in its pharmacological properties, CI-581 seemed useful as an anesthetic for surgical procedures of short duration, particularly in infants and children on intramuscular administration.
