What is known about a German preparation called ""Sensiotin cum Procain"" which is used as an anal

Fråga: "What is known about a German preparation called "Sensiotin cum Procain" which is used as an analgetic (neuraltherapeutikum?)?"

Sammanfattning: Sensiotin cum Procain is a homeopathic preparation which contains also pharmacologically active amounts of caffeine and procaine (a local anaesthetic). Its efficacy and safety has not been evaluated.

Svar: Sensiotin cum Procain is a fixed drug combination for parenteral use. According to the product information it can be used for various chronic pain states according to general principles of segmental and neural therapy (?). It contains caffeine (25 mg/ml), procaine hydrochloride (40 mg/ml ie two per cent solution) and homeopathic amounts (D5-12) of formic acid and hypericin. Two ml is the maximum recommended for intracutaneous, subcutaneous, and intramuscular administrations. One ml, however, is recommended for intravenous administration.

Procaine is an old local anaesthetic which is still widely used (eg in the USA as Novocain). It belongs to the ester group of local anaesthetics and is metabolized by plasma cholinesterase (1). A two per cent solution is generally used for inducing peripheral nerve blockade. Formic acid is an irritating and pungent supplementary liquid with proven toxicity. The acceptable maximal daily intake is 3 mg/kg. Hypericin is a red pigment extracted from a plant (Hypericum perforatum) and is used in herbal and homeopathic preparations for a variety of disorders (2). Interestingly, it is also being tested as an antiviral agent for the management of AIDS (3).

There are no similar or corresponding preparations on the Swedish market. The efficacy and safety of the product has not been systematically tested.