Anti-hemoptic drugs: II. action of emetine on the pulmonary circulation

1. The actions of emetine on the heart and pulmonary circulation were studied in a total of 45 anesthetized dogs2. Emetine was shown to lower both systemic and pulmonic blood pressures when injected intravenously in doses from 0.05 to 7.5 mg./Kg. The mechanism by which this hypotension was brought appeared to be solely by cardiac depression. No significant direct vasodilating action was demonstrated3. The applicability and dangers of emetine as an antihemoptic agent were discussed. (Summary)