USE OF OXIDASE INHIBITOR WITH DEXTROMETHORPHAN TO TREAT INTRACTABLE COUGHING AND DERMATITIS

摘要

This invention discloses a method for increasing the effectiveness of dextromethorphan (DM) in treating either severe coughing or dermatitis which do not respond to other drug treatments. This method involves the administration, to a patient who is an extensive metabolizer of dextromethorphan and who is suffering from severe coughing or dermatitis, of dextromethorphan along with a second agent that inhibits the enzymatic activity of debrisoquin hydroxylase (also called sparteine monooxygenase, cytochrome P450 DB, and cytochrome P450-2D6). Quinidine is an especially potent inhibitor of enzymatic DM oxidation, but it is not well tolerated by everyone. other antioxidants which are less potent and better tolerated by some patients include quinine, yohimbine, fluoxetine, haloperidol, ajmaline, lobeline, and pipamperone. Since people have major variations in their oxidative enzyme activities, screening tests should be undertaken under the supervision of a physician to select a preferred antioxidant for each particular patient. In tests described herein, patients suffering from intractable coughing or dermatitis which did not respond adequately to any other safe and non-addictive-drugs reported excellent results and virtually complete elimination of their coughing or dermatitis. In addition, the treated patients did not report any adverse side effects such as drowsiness, fatigue, or nausea.