[On the mode of action of difenoxine (R15403). Part 1: Studies on isolated intestinal smooth muscle (author's transl)].

1-(3-Cyano-3,3-diphenylpropyl)-4-phenyl-isonicotinic acid hydrochloride (difenoxine, R 15 403) in vitro acts directly on gastrointestinal smooth muscle. It inhibits spontaneous contractions, it antagonizes the histamin-induced contractions and partially inhibits acetylcholine. Compared with pethidine difenoxine appears 50 times more powerful.