Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!rutgers!husc6!harvard!spdcc!dyer
From: dyer@spdcc.UUCP (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: experimental medication question
Message-ID: <456@spdcc.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 6-Nov-86 23:46:38 EST
Article-I.D.: spdcc.456
Posted: Thu Nov  6 23:46:38 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 7-Nov-86 23:42:23 EST
References: <5719@gatech.EDU>
Reply-To: dyer@spdcc.UUCP (Steve Dyer)
Organization: S.P. Dyer Computer Consulting, Cambridge MA
Lines: 37
Keywords: s180.0750, Lorex pharmecuticals

>Its name is "s180.0750" and it is a "non benzo-diazepine sedative
>hypnotic" (exactly what is this?) made by Lorex phrarmecuticals.
>I have been told that it has undergone tests (in human subjects)
>in Europe (I don't know if it has been approved by any European
>countries for other than experimental use though) and now it is
>currently being tested in the states (apparently some tests have
>already been conducted in the states so I shouldn't be the first).
>...
>What do people know about this drug?  Does it seem relatively safe
>to go ahead and participate in the study?  Is my understanding of
>the drug (what little of it I do understand :-() correct?  Any other
>relevant information would be greatly appreciated.

A couple of comments.  First, it's almost impossible to find any information
on a drug if you only have an internal code name given by the drug company;
I'd ask the researchers for the official generic name if you're really
interested in finding out more about the drug.  Once you have that, it's
possible to perform a literature search on the drug.  There's a good
chance the researchers have reprints of research articles, too.

"Non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic" really doesn't tell you much other
than what the drug is NOT: it's not a member of the Valium/Librium class
of sedatives, which all share a common pharmacological profile (though
there are some differences between individual agents.)  Sedatives like
these are described this way simply because most of the new agents being
tested and approved these days are benzodiazepines.  20 years ago,
benzodiazepines were promoted as "non-barbiturate sedative-hypnotics."

Whether participating in any drug study is safe is an individual decision,
and you're certainly doing the right thing trying to find out as much as
you can before participating.  I participated in similar programs at
McLean Hospital in my younger days, and they were truly fascinating.
On the other hand, most of my friends thought I was foolhardy and crazy.
-- 
Steve Dyer
dyer@harvard.HARVARD.EDU
{linus,wanginst,bbnccv,harvard,ima,ihnp4}!spdcc!dyer