To ten male volunteers, 25 to 35 years old and without any known disease, physiological saline solution (placebo) 1 ml, ortphine 10 ㎎, and Remaflin 16 ㎎ were administered intramuscularly. Effects of these agents upon ventilation at rest and respiratory response to carbon dioxide rebreathing were studied.
The results are as follows:
1) Morphine significantly decreased respiratory rate, minute volume, and Pao₂and increased Paco₂without signivicantly affecting either tidal volume or arterial pH.
2) In morphine-induced respiratory depression, Remeflin improved ventilation by significantly increasing tidal volume and minute volume with resultant increase in Pao₂and decrease in Paco₂. Remeflin did not significantly alter respiratory rate and arterial pH.
3) Morphine displaced respiratory response curve to carbon dioxide obtained with placebo 7 torr to the right and Remeflin 6 torr to the left.
No changes in slope of the curves were observed.
4) It is concluded that Remeflin stiraulates respiration by directly acting upon the respiratory center.
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