[Interactions between oxygen under high pressure and drugs (author's transl)]

A. The clinical applications of oxygen under high pressure (OHP) are limited by oxygen toxicity. Hence, an investigation was carried out in mice on the influence of drugs on the lethal effect of OHP. 1. The lethal effect of OHP is diminished by phenobarbitone, propranolol, clonidine, succinate and tris buffer. 2. The lethal effect of OHP is enhanced by methamphetamine, acetazolamide and guanethidine. 3. The lethal effect of OHP is enhanced by reserpine two hours after administration, but diminished 12 hours after administration. B. The clinical usage of OHP is often necessarily connected with drug therapy. Hence, alteration in drug effects under OHP were investigated in mice and rats. 1. The convulsion threshold of pentetrazol is reduced under OHP by 26%. 2. The duration of the hypnotic effect of hexobarbitone is reduced under OHP by 27%. 3. The analgesic effect of morphine is unchanged by OHP. Practical aspects with regard to the use of drugs during clinical use of OHP are discussed.