Administration of obidoxime tablets to man. Plasma levels and side reactions

Twenty-four male volunteers were given obidoxime tablets in quantities ranging from 1.84-3.58 g in a single dose, or 7.36 g divided into 4 equal doses. With the lowest dose, average peak plasma level of the drug was 1.9 mug/ml and after the highest single dose it was 5.6 mug/ml, both attained 1.5 h after administration. In the multiple-dosed individuals, plasma levels of the oxime increased gradually following each additional dose, reaching a peak of 3.5 mug/ml after the last dose. Thirteen individuals complained of one or more of the following side effects: pallor, nausea, pyrosis, headache, generalized weakness, sore throat, and paresthesia of the face muscles. Activities of blood cholinesterase, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, as well as hematocrit values, heart rate, and blood pressure were not affected. It is postulated that due to the undesirable side effects, the general use of obidoxime tablets should not be recommended. However, prophylactic oral treatment with obidoxime could be considered for persons at high risk of organophosphate poisoning or when parenteral administration might not be feasible.