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derivatives are severe respiratory depressants.
Small doses dull the cough reflex and larger doses
abolish it. These drugs may cause constipation by
diminishing the secretions of the gastrointestinal
tract and increasing the tone of the intestinal
muscles to the point of spasm. Members of this
class are used as analgesics, cough sedatives, and
for certain types of diarrhea.
Paregoric (Camphorated Opium Tincture)
ACTION AND USE.— Paregoric is mainly
used as an intestinal tranquilizer to control
diarrhea.
USUAL DOSE.— 5 to 10 ml one to four times
daily.
Morphine Sulfate
ACTION AND USE.— This drug is indicated
for the relief of severe pain and is used pre-
operatively to sedate patients. It is also used in
the treatment of severe pain associated with
myocardial infarction. It is contraindicated in pa-
tients with head injuries, acute alcoholism, and
convulsive disorders.
Codeine Sulfate
ACTION AND USE.— Codeine sulfate is like
morphine, but has one-sixth of the analgesic
power and one-fourth of the respiratory depres-
sant effect of morphine. It is used for moderate
to severe pain and as an antitussive.
USUAL DOSE.— As an analgesic, give 15 to
60 mg every 4 hours, regardless of route. As an
antitussive, give 10 to 20 mg every 4 to 6 hours.
DO NOT EXCEED 120 MG IN 24 HOURS.
Meperidine Hydrochloride (Demerol)
ACTION AND USE.— This is a synthetic
analgesic similar to morphine. It is used for
moderate to severe pain and as a preoperative
medication. It is not as effective as morphine in
its analgesic properties.
USUAL DOSE.— As an analgesic, adjust
dosage according to the severity of pain and the
response of the patient. Give 50 to 150 mg intra-
muscularly, subcutaneously, or orally every 3 to
4 hours as necessary.
PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC AGENTS
Tranquilizers and mood modifiers are the two
primary groups of psychotherapeutic agents. They
are classified as major tranquilizers, minor tran-
quilizers, and mood modifiers. The mood modi-
fiers have replaced the amphetamines as treatment
of choice for depressive states.
Chlorpromazine Hydrochloride
(Thorazine)
ACTION AND USE.— This drug is indicated
for alleviating manifestations of psychosis, ten-
sion, and agitation. Dosage is highly individ-
ualized depending on the severity of symptoms
and degree of response. It may also be used as
an antiemetic.
USUAL DOSE.— As an antiemetic, give up
to 0.5 mg per pound every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
As an antipsychotic, dosage is individualized as
described above and may range from 10 mg to
1 g daily, usually given in three divided doses.
Thioridazine (Mellaril)
ACTION AND USE.— Thioridazine is used
for antipsychotic purposes and is considered to
be a good all-around tranquilizer.
USUAL DOSE.— Starting dose is 50 to 100
mg three times daily with gradual incremental in-
creases to a maximum of 800 mg per day, if
necessary.
Prochlorperizine (Compazine)
ACTION AND USE.— This drug is most
often used in the symptomatic treatment of nausea
and vomiting but shares all the antipsychotic ef-
fects of chlorpromazine.
USUAL DOSE.— Orally, give 5 to 20 mg three
or four times daily. Rectally, give 25 mg twice
daily. Intramuscular dosage should not exceed 40
mg daily. It is available as tablets, capsules,
syrups, injections, and suppositories.
Haloperidol (Haldol)
ACTION AND USE.— Haloperidol is in-
dicated in the treatment of schizophrenia with
manifestations of acute manic symptoms, social
withdrawal, and paranoid behavior, and the
manic stage of manic-depressive patients.
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