[Experimental study of the sensitizing properties of halothane]

The sensitizing properties of halothane were investigated experimentally in guinea pigs using two different techniques. The first method, derived from that of DRAIZE, included a sensitizing phase in which the product was administered by inhalation, while the second method, derived from that of MAGNUSSON and KLIGMAN, used guinea pigs sensitized to FREUND's adjuvant and which were sensitized to halothane administered subcutaneously. The results obtained in these two series of experiments appeared concordant. They showed that effective sensitization occurred in 60 to 80 p. 100 of the animals treated. This places halothane between level 3 (moderate potency) and level 4 (high potency) on the classical drug scale of "allergenic potencies".