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Gerovital (GH3)

Controversial preparation containing procaine hydrochloride, antioxidants & stabilizing agents (benzoic acid, potassium metabisulfite & disodium phosphate) developed by Romanian Ana Aslan (1897-1988) during the 1950s & promoted by advocates as an effective anti-aging treatment. Stabilizing agents increase 1/2 life of procaine & diminish its anesthetic properties. Clinical trials in the mid-to-late 1970s suggested that Gerovital H3 acts as a weak, competitive, reversible MAO inhibitor, thus may have some antidepressant value, but otherwise has negligible effect on disease.

General

pharmacologic combination

References

  1. Wikipedia: Gerovital http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerovital
  2. Zwerling I, Plutchik R, Hotz M, Kling R, Rubin L, Grossman J, Siegel B. Effects of a procaine preparation (Gerovital H3) in hospitalized geriatric patients: a double-blind study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1975 Aug;23(8):355-9 PMID: 1097490.
  3. Olsen EJ, Bank L, Jarvik LF. Gerovital-H3: a clinical trial as an antidepressant. J Gerontol. 1978 Jul;33(4):514-20 PMID: 376578
  4. Ostfeld A, Smith CM, Stotsky BA. The systemic use of procaine in the treatment of the elderly: a review. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1977 Jan;25(1):1-19 PMID: 12204
  5. Rissanen V, Rissanen P, Tuomisto J. Procaine (Gerovital): no effect on the rehabilitation result in patients with back or hip disease. Ann Med. 1990 Jun;22(3):151-6 PMID: 2203382