Latin, Hexamethylenamina (Gen., Hexamethylenaminae)

Eng., Hexamethylenamine. Synonym, Hexamethylene-tetramine, Urotro-pin. A condensation product of Ammonia and Formaldehyde.

Form

Small, colorless crystals or white powder.

Odor And Taste

Odorless, almost tasteless.

Solubility

In 1.5 parts of water and in 12.5 parts of alcohol.

In Compatibles

All acids.

Average Dose

4 grains (0.25 Gm.).

Therapeutic Action

Diuretic, urinary antiseptic.

Uses

Employed in the treatment of gonorrhea, cystitis, pyelitis, renal calculi, phosphaturia, typhoid fever, etc. Recommended (?) for argyria, biliary calculi, arthritis, gout, bronchitis, etc.

Administration

Usually prescribed alone, either in aqueous solution or in the form of tablets to be dissolved in water. While other sizes of tablets may be obtained the 7 1/2-grain are the most popular. It is best to have each dose administered in a glass of water.

The tendency is to administer large doses, and some of our best therapists give as much as 15 grains every three hours.

Some patients cannot tolerate the drug, and even small doses may cause painful micturition or even hematuria. In giving the drug, it is always desirable to have the patient or nurse instructed as to untoward symptoms and discontinue its use upon their appearance.

The simultaneous use of alkalies interferes with the decomposition therefore with the action of the drug.

In solution:

M.

Sig

Teaspoonful in glass of water every four hours.

In tablets:

Sig

One in water every 4 hours.

Patient should be told to break up the tablet, else its solution is sometimes very slow.

Homatropinae Hydrobromidum

See Belladonna, p. 87.