ASSESSMENT OF RESPIRATORY EFFECTS OF ANALGESIC DRUGS

The methods currently employed for the assessment in normal human subjects of the respiratory effects of drugs are briefly reviewed; the diversity of criteria of depression is indicated, with reference to the many types of test for ventilatory response to inspired carbon dioxide. A case is advanced, with support from the results of control measurements, for (1) recording alveolar Pco2 during air-breathing and taking the increase above normal as the measure of respiratory depression and (2) measuring oxygen consumption as pan of the assessment of the effect of a drug on respiration. A method is described which has been used for making measurements before and after drug administration; the results of control studies using this method are presented: values for PAco2 varied least, and parameters of a rebreathing carbon dioxide response test varied most, among the several measurements of ventilatory function. © 1968 John Sherratt and Son Ltd.