Journal Published Online: 01 January 1979
Volume 24, Issue 1

Correlates of Outcome Following Acute Glutethimide Overdosage

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Glutethimide was introduced as a hypnotic agent in the United States in the mid-1950s. Shortly thereafter it became evident that overdosage with glutethimide could readily produce serious and fatal intoxication [1–3]. Numerous subsequent studies demonstrate that the sleep-inducing efficacy of glutethimide is no greater than that of many other drugs, including some that are clearly safer [4–13]. Furthermore, glutethimide continues to be a popular agent of self-poisoning, with an associated high morbidity and mortality [11,13–23]. Despite the obvious hazards and disadvantages of glutethimide, it is still widely used in clinical practice. An estimated 2.7 million prescriptions for glutethimide were dispensed at American retail pharmacies in 1975.

Author Information

Greenblatt, DJ
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
Allen, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
Harmatz, JS
Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory, Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Boston
Noel, BJ
Shader, RI
Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory, Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Boston
Pages: 11
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS10792J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS10792J