SummaryIntravenous infusions of phenylephrine, noradrenaiine, adrenaline, and isoprenaline were given to healthy human volunteers after five to seven days on phenelzine, tranylcypromine, or imipramine, and cardiovascular responses were compared with those observed under control conditions. With monoamine oxidase inhibitors there was a 2-2k fold potentiation of the pressor effect of phenylephrine, but no clinically significant potentiation of cardiovascular effects of noradrenaline, adrenaline, or isoprenaline. With imipramine there was potentiation of the pressor effects ofphenylephrine (2-3 fold), noradrenaline (4-8 fold), and adrenaline (2-4 fold); there were dysrhythmias during adrenaline infusions, but no noticeable or consistent changes in response to isoprenaline.Noradrenaline and adrenaline in amounts contained in local anaesthetics used in dentistry are not likely to be significantly potentiated in otherwise healthy patients receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Hazardous potentiation of their cardiovascular effects might occur in patients receiving tricyclic antidepressants.Our observations do not indicate that the hazards associated with isoprenaline inhalation by bronchial

Recently there has been an alarming increase in the number of schoolchildren sniffing glue (toluene). The medical complications seen in 18 boys, aged 14 to 18 years, include physical and mental dependence, pulmonary hypertension with cor pulmonale, restrictive lung defect, encephalopathy, peripheral neuropathy and high frequency, continuous discharges ( neuromyotonia ) on electromyogram. Glue sniffing took place in small groups and abusers sniffed directly from cans containing glue. Lower socio-economic status, overcrowding, lack of attention by working parents, school failure and easy availability of the glue were commonly cited associated factors.

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Features of both systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma developed in a young Chinese girl while on multiple anticonvulsant therapy. These were reversed after withdrawal of the drugs. Readministration of ethosuximide for control of epilepsy caused a relapse with predominant sclerodermatous features. These clinical signs again resolved after ethosuximide withdrawal.