Evaluation of Dopram(R) and its effects on hexobarbital narcosis.

The effect of Dopram(R) on hexobarbital induced narcosis and hypothermia was determined. Sodium hexobarbital (70mg/kg, i.p.) sleeping times were assessed in saline, Dopram(R), 20 and 40 mg/kg, i.p., administered mice. A dose-response increase in sodium hexobarbital induced narcosis was produced by Dopram(R). The duration of Dopram(R) effect on hexobarbital narcosis was also assessed. Dopram(R) potentiated significantly hexobarbital sleeping times when administered two hours prior to sodium hexobarbital challenge. Dopram(R) also was observed to significantly increase the hypothermic response to hexobarbital. The effect of the individual components of Dopram(R) (doxapram hydrochloride and chlorobutanol) on hexobarbital narcosis and hypothermia was evaluated. It was found that doxapram hydrochloride (20 and 40 mg/kg, i.p.) and chlorobutanol (5 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) potentiated sodium hexobarbital narcosis and hypothermia. It seems that doxapram hydrochloride and chlorobutanol are both responsible for the potentiation of hexobarbital narcosis and hypothermia by Dopram(R).