The acetylcholinesterase reactivator HI-6 (1-[[[4-(aminocarbonyl)pyridinio]methoxyl]methyl]- 2-[(hydroxyimino)methyl]-pyridinium dichloride): a comparative study of HI-6 samples from various sources.

A comparison of the chemical purity, toxicology and potency of HI-6 (1-[[[4-(aminocarbonyl)pyridinio]methoxy]methyl]-2- [(hydroxyimino)methyl]-pyridinium dichloride) obtained from various sources (Canada, Israel, Yugoslavia, The Netherlands, United Kingdom) was performed. There were no significant differences between HI-6 obtained from Israel, Yugoslavia, The Netherlands and Canada regarding their potency, when combined with atropine, as an antidote of organophosphate poisoning. HI-6 obtained from the United Kingdom was significantly more toxic and less potent than any of the other HI-6 samples. In addition, the results of this study showed that there was no significant difference between HI-6 prepared as a laboratory batch and HI-6 prepared commercially with regards to chemical purity, toxicology or potency.