Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-03
WORDS or CAUTION
'TronquiIIizers' Can Be Harmful

Authorizations. and It's results even
there are recorded as being incon-
sistent. on the stimulating side we
have Meratran and Ritalin. These
tend apparently to elevate the
mood. and therefore may offer some
hope in the depressed states.
Views differ considerably on all
of these drugs and it seems quite
clear that they should be used
only under medical supervision and
on doctors prescription. Their sale
over the counter or their admins
tration on ones own guess may
produce unfortunate effects and fail
entirely to produce the effects de-
sired.
One should mention also in the
stimulating field the amphetamineS,
such as benzedrine, the sale of
which is carefully and properly
controlled. They have been known
for a considerable number Of years.
and although they have a certain
amount of popular appeal they are
definitely harmful. Again they
should not be used except on physi-
clans prescription.
It is an axiom in medicine that
any drug which has any beneficial
effects whatever may be harmful
If taken in improper doses or for
the improper reasons. In other
words, any drug which is any good
may prove harmful.
Some of the Dangers
Lest it may be thought that /
am too general in what say about
the untoward effects of these drugs.
let me specify a few of the symp-
toms which have been reported:
. In the case of the rauwolfla al
kaloids, vocal cords may swell to.
such degree as to cause Strangu-
lation. The emotional depression
caused by the drugs may proceed
to such stage as to bring about
suicide. They also cause drowsiness
and the lowering of blood pressure
with possible fainting. Perforation
OF stomach ulcer has been reported.
. In the case Of Thorazine. jaun-
dice has been noted casually, how
ever, recoverable) and various skin
symptoms. Also under Thorazine.
damage to the formation Of white
blood cells, with occasional result
ing fatality, has been noted. These
cases, to be sure, are statiStically
few but nevertheless alarming.
Q Both the rauwolfia and the
chloropromazine products, taken
over a period, cause temporary
symptoms resembling the so-called
shaking palsy"
. In the case Of Midtown and
Equanil, instances Of fainting, of
skin rash, Of skin swellings and
of hives, together with dizziness,
headache and vomiting are OBJ
served.
. Frenquel has Q very limited
use and If not properly used may
cause aggravation Of q condition
rather than benefit 1t.
. Episodes Of psychosis resulting
from use of Meratran are reported,
and one writer states that 1t should
not be used outside of the hospital
for schizophrenia or for the severe
ly depressed.
. The amphetamines, in general,
depress the appetite and interfere
seriously with sleep while increas-
ing the blood pressure and pulse
and causing general 'jitteriness.
There is little doubt that we are
at the beginning of a pharmaco-
logic era in the treatment of emo
tional and mental disorders. There
will be further experimentation
and we may view the future with
optimism.
In the meantime, however, we
know very little about the action
Of the new drugs and about their
possible cumulative effects. We
know that their sphere is limited,
that there are possible complica-
tons, some Of which threaten even
life itself. and number of which
may result in an aggravation of
symptoms.
Feelings of chronic fatigue or Of
persistent anxiety may be indica-
tions of basic physical illness and
should never be passed of as Just
touch Of nervousness. It is said
that q lawyer who tries his own
case has fool for q client; q SINH
lar statement might be made about
the person who treats himself
rather than consulting q physicianl