Ventilatory effects of prethcamide in healthy young men.

The ventilatory effects of intravenous injections and infusions of prethcamide have been investigated with healthy young adult male volunteers. Ventilatory changes due to the drug were measured at constant inspired Pco(2) or constant alveolar Pco(2), and in relation to the response to changes in alveolar Pco(2). The experiments show that the drug is a mild and somewhat inconstant respiratory stimulant, slow and prolonged in action and liable to give rise to a variety of unpleasant side-effects.