30 
Ethoxycaffeine. 
Am.  Jour.  Phariru 
Jan.,  1887- 
value.  He  found  that  in  frogs  the  substitution  of  an  atom  of  ethoxyl 
for  an  atom  of  hydrogen  in  caffeine  effected  a  very  great  modification 
in  physiological  action,  for  ethoxy  caffeine,  instead  of  causing 
rigidity  of  the  muscles  and  tetaniform  spasm,  has  a  narcotic  effect  and 
diminishes  reflex  excitability. 
Trying  next  the  effect  of  the  new  compound  on  mammals  he  found 
that  0*5  gm.  caused  sleep  in  rabbits,  spinal  symptoms  only  appearing 
after  the  administration  of  a  gram.  Experimenting  finally  on  man 
he  noted  vertigo,  intellectual  torpor,  sometimes  also  pain  in  the  head, 
after  the  exhibition  of  0'5  to  0'75  gm.  of  ethoxycaffeine,  and  sug- 
gested the  possibility  that  it  might  be  useful  in  migraine. 
Dujardin-Beaumetz  (Bull.  gen.  de  Therap.,  March  30,  1886,)  has 
made  further  experiments  with  a  quantity  of  the  drug  placed  at  his 
disposal  by  Filehne.  It  is  in  the  form  of  white  crystals,  and  quite 
insoluble  in  water,  but  like  caffeine,  its  solution  may  be  effected  by 
the  addition  of  salicylate  of  sodium.  On  injecting  0*01— 0*08  gm. 
into  the  guinea-pig  he  noticed  increased  action  of  the  heart  and 
diuresis,  and  also  sleepiness,  with  such  paresis  of  the  eyelids  that  the 
animal  could  hardly  open  its  eyes  even  when  stimulated.  The  drug 
was  rapidly  eliminated  by  the  urine,  but  a  larger  dose  than  0T  gm. 
caused  convulsions  and  death. 
Dujardin-Beaumetz  next  tried  the  drug  on  patients  suffering  from 
pains  in  the  head,  giving  3 — 15  grains  per  diem,  either  in  cachets  or 
solution.  It  is  apt  to  cause  stomach  troubles,  heat  at  the  epigastrium, 
nausea,  and  vomiting,  and  as  this  is  especially  the  case  when  it  is 
given  in  catches  he  employed  the  following  solution  : — 
Ethoxycaffeine   3|gr. 
Silicylate  of  sodium   3|gr. 
Hydrochlorate  of  cocaine   Hgr- 
Syrup  and  water   3oz. 
The  cocaine  is  added  to  minimise  gastric  irritation. 
In  facial  neuralgia  7  y2 — 15  grains  daily  gave  relief  and  even  caused 
sleep,  but  its  action  did  not  compare  favorably  with  aconitine.  But  in 
migraine  he  obtained  very  satisfactory  results  from  the  new  drug  by 
giving  3|  grains  as  soon  as  the  symptoms  of  the  attack  appeared. 
To  one  of  his  pupils,  who  suffered  from  intense  migraine,  he  gave  7  J 
grains  of  ethoxycaffeine.  Two  hours  afterwards  the  pains  had  com- 
pletely disappeared,  and  the  patient  slept.  On  awakening  there  was 
neither  pain  nor  loss  of  appetite.    In  another  case,  3f  grains  given  at- 
