Cocaine Toothache Drops

[Brian]

Nurses, did you know that in the US, cocaine was sold over the counter until 1914 and was commonly found in products like toothache drops, dandruff remedies and medicinal tonics?

1885 advertisement of cocaine for dental pain in children

[christophernftl]

She called it "monkey blood" for some reason. I didn't tell her I was hurt unless it was really bad.

I am from south Alabama/greater NOLA area and I can tell you that "monkey blood" is a very common name for merchurochrome among a large segment of the population. My great-great-aunt who was a nurse/folk healer type person outside of Meridian Mississippi used to call it that whenever she pulled it out to patch a neighbor up. Then again she also practiced using mostly herbs, giant folk medicine books, and an apothocary lab setup that was fascinating to a young child. Might not have been the most traditional, but when you can't afford food, and much less the MD in town, you have to go to someone!

[squidbilly]

I too have seen liquid cocaine in ER pyxis as recently as last year (it was jokingly pointed out to me by my preceptor).

Also, I hold firm the belief that Coca-Cola knew very well the addictive properties of cocaine when they put it in their product alongside caffeine. I wouldn't be surprised if they still sneak some in there...

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

I have assisted MDs several times with procedures that involved cocaine solution.

Most have been resolving acute lifethreatening bleeds in oncology pts that had poor coagulation and negligible platelet counts. Usually nonstop nose bleeds, and one was an acute oral bleed in a pt with extremely poor dentician.

A few times it was used topically, where there was a large area of superficial wounds with a disproportionate amt of bleeding and pain. Gauze saturated with the solution applied sparingly to the wounds will slow/stop bleeding (because of the acute vasoconstriction) of the site and numb it temporarily, permitting easier cleaning, suturing and local anesthesia/injection. If you had to repeatedly inject lidocaine in that large an area, your pt (especially children) may object strenously. The solution application makes it more tolerable and significantly reduces bleeding, though usually dilute enough to have little systemic effect.

My understanding is that some dentists use it and it is used in ENT procedures/surgery, because of it's highly vasoconstriction properties, in those highly vascular areas.

[x_factor]

Heroin used to be used for coughs back in 1901.

[Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN]

Heck, my Mom used paregoric on my brother and me. Teething pain? Rub paregoric on 'em. Stomach ache? Diarrhea? Yup, Mom's cure- all. Thing is, the stuff worked well! (In case you can't tell, I am older than dirt). I can still remember the taste, kinda like licorice.

[sapphire18]

What is paragoric (sp?)?

[Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN]

paregoric is a solution of opium, from which narcotics are derived.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

What is paragoric (sp?)?

Paregoric, or camphorated tincture of opium, also known as tinctura opii camphorata, is a medication known for its antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic properties. It was sold over the counters and our mothers would give it to us anytime we were sick, diarrhea, mumps, cough. It did taste like licorice. As my Mom always said we were always so good even when we were sick...LOL

Paregoric - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[sapphire18]

They should bring that back on the market!! Haha

[eatmysoxRN, ASN, RN]

They should bring back more of that stuff. I'm sure it'd top cherratussin.

~ No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent -Eleanor Roosevelt ~