[Diethylpentenamide, a substitute for carbromal? (author's transl)].

Bromcarbamide-containing sleeping pills are frequently used in suicide attempts and cause severe, often fatal, intoxication. Since 1975, the chemically related drug diethylpentenamide had been available (in the German Federal Republic) without prescription. The authors report four cases of attempted suicide with the drug. The signs were similar to those after carbromal intoxication. There was severe respiratory depression, successfully treated by extracorporeal detoxication with combined haemoperfusion and haemodialysis. One patient developed acute pancreatitis as a complication.