Observations on Arousal Following Megimide (Bemegride) during Light Barbiturate Narcosis

Abstract

In 1954 Shaw et al. described the action of Megimide (bemegride) in shortening sleep and restoring consciousness in laboratory animals under the influence of barbiturates. Subsequently, in 1955 Shulman et al. reported the results of the use of this drug in the treatment of barbiturate overdosage in man. Since then Megimide has been widely accepted as a valuable antidote in barbiturate poisoning, but there has been much discussion on whether it is a specific antagonist to barbiturates or a non-specific central analeptic.