208 ACONITINE. 



ACONITINE. 



Aconitine (C,34H47NOn = 640.55) is an alkaloid derived from Aconitum 

 napellus, or Monkshood, a perennial herb. 



Pharmacodynamics. 



Central Nervous System. Marked stimulation of the medulla. 



Muscular System. Reflex weakness, secondary to the diminished circulation. 



Respiration. Aconite produces a slow, labored breathing, probably due to vagus 

 action, both centric and peripheral. 



Heart is markedly slowed by centric action ; later, in toxic doses, the heart is ac- 

 celerated by paralysis of the inhibitory terminals and by local irritation of the heart 

 muscle. 



Blood-pressure falls from lessened heart output, and perhaps somewhat from cen- 

 tric action. 



Eye. Pupil contracted on local application. 



Alimentary Tract. Numbing sensation; sometimes centric vomiting. 



Secretory Glands. Salivary glands reflexly active from stimulation of oral ter - 

 minants; sweat-glands may be irritated. 



Metabolism. Not affected. 



Temperature falls ; cause unknown, but it is assumed to be due to direct action on 

 the thermic center. 



Absorption. Medicinal effect is noted in about twenty minutes; continues for 

 about five hours. 



Excretion is mainly by urine; minutely in bile and saliva. 



Local Action. Irritates, later benumbs, sensory terminations. 



Symptoms. 



Therapeutic Doses. Toxic Doses. 



Tingling of lips, tongue, and Prickling of throat, stomach, and 



throat. skin. 



Slight muscular weakness. Salivation. 



Diminished force and frequency Slow, feeble pulse, later becoming 



of heart, weak, rapid, and thready. 



Slow, shallow, labored breathing. 



Violent nausea and purging. 



Pale, cold, clammy skin. 



Great prostration 



Unimpaired intelligence. 



Respiratory failure. 

 Therapeutics. 



Aconite may be used in strong adults as a circulatory sedative in the early stages 

 of sthenic types of inflammations. Also as a local application to exposed nerves in 

 toothache. 



Dosage. 



Fluidextractum Aconiti, 0.03 to 0.12 mil. 

 Tinctura Aconiti, 0.3 to 2 mils. 

 Aconitina, 0.00016 to 0.00032 Gm. 



Aconitina should be used with great circumspection, and never administered to 

 children. 



