EFFECT OF A NEW ANALEPTIC DRUG, ALMITRINE, ON FENTANYL-INDUCED RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION AND ANALGESIA IN MAN

Five female patients received fentanyl 0.0066 mg kg^–1i.v. (group A); five other female patients received the samedose of fentanyl, followed immediately by almitrine 0.5mg kg^–1i.v. (group B) and 20 minor gynaecological operations were performedunder a combination of almitrine 0.5mgkg^–1 and fentanyl0.0066 mg kg^–1 (groupC). In group A, fentanyl produceda marked and significant respiratory depression (P < 0.001).In group B and C, almitrine antagonized the fentanyl-inducedrespiratory depression. Analgesia did not seem to be affected.