Epitome of the Pharmacopeia of the United States and the National Formulary Part 60

DOSAGE: 4 Cc. or 1 fluidrachm (N.F.).

_Pulvis Pancreatini Compositus (Pulv. Pancreat. Co.), Compound Pancreatin Powder, N.F._ (Pulvis Pancreaticus Compositus, N.F. III, Peptonizing Powder).--Pancreatin (20%) and sodium bicarbonate.

USES: Predigestion of milk.

=Papaveris Fructus (Papav. Fruct.), Poppy Capsules, N.F.=--Fully grown unripe poppy heads.

ACTION AND USES: Weak and unreliable opiate.

DOSAGE: 1 Gm. or 15 grains (N.F.).

_Syrupus Papaveris (Syr. Papaver.), Syrup of Poppy, N.F._--Poppy capsules (10%) in syrup.

DOSAGE: 4 Cc. or 1 fluidrachm (N.F.).

=Paracoto (Paracot.), Paracoto, N.F.=--Bark of an unidentified tree.

ACTION AND USES: At one time used in diarrhea. The ident.i.ty of the drug is uncertain and there is no scientific evidence for its value; hence it is now little used.

DOSAGE: 0.3 Gm. or 5 grains (N.F.).

_Fluidextractum Paracoto (Fldext. Paracot.), Fluidextract of Paracoto, N.F._ (Fluidextractum Coto, N.F. III).--Paracoto (100%). Absolute alcohol content about 75 per cent.

DOSAGE: 0.3 Cc. or 5 minims (N.F.).

_Tinctura Paracoto (Tr. Paracoto), Tincture of Paracoto, N.F._ (Tinctura Coto, N.F. III).--Paracoto (12.5%) in alcohol. Absolute alcohol content about 90 per cent.

USES: Antidiarrheic, of doubtful efficacy.

DOSAGE: 2 Cc. or 30 minims (N.F.).

=*Paraffinum (Paraff.), Paraffin, U.S.P.=--A purified mixture of solid hydrocarbons, usually obtained from petroleum.

A white, waxy, odorless and tasteless solid, greasy to the touch, melting between 50 and 57 C.

ACTION AND USES: Used in surgery for prosthetic purposes and in pharmacy for raising the melting point of ointments and similar products.

=Paraformaldehydum (Paraform.), Paraformaldehyde, U.S.P.= (Paraform, Trioxymethylene).--A polymeric form of formaldehyde.

White friable ma.s.ses or powder with a slight odor of formaldehyde.

Soluble in cold water, insoluble in alcohol or ether.

ACTION AND USES: Employed in place of formaldehyde to disinfect rooms by vaporization in presence of moisture (to insure formation of formaldehyde). As it is active only if decomposed there may be some doubt as to its efficiency. Internally, it has been used as intestinal antiseptic, but is probably useless and may be harmful.

=*Paraldehydum (Paraldehyd.), Paraldehyde, U.S.P.=--A polymer of acetaldehyde.

A colorless liquid, having a strong, characteristic odor and an extremely unpleasant taste, and producing first a burning and then a cooling sensation in the mouth. Soluble in water (1:8), and miscible with alcohol or chloroform.

ACTION AND USES: Prompt and fairly active hypnotic and sedative devoid of serious side-effects.

DOSAGE: 2 Cc. or 30 minims (U.S.P.). Best administered with cracked ice or ice-cold liquids.

=Pareira (Pareira), Pareira, N.F.= (Pareira Brava).--Roots.

ACTION AND USES: Obsolete bitter tonic.

DOSAGE: 2 Gm. or 30 grains (N.F.).

_Fluidextractum Pareirae (Fldext. Pareir.), Fluidextract of Pareira, N.F._--Pareira (100%). Absolute alcohol content about 40 per cent.

DOSAGE: 2 Cc. or 30 minims (N.F.).

=Pa.s.siflora (Pa.s.siflor.), Pa.s.sion Flower, N.F.= (Pa.s.sion Vine).--Dried herbage.

ACTION AND USES: Exploited by manufacturers of proprietary remedies for the treatment of insomnia, but probably inert.

DOSAGE: 0.2 Gm. or 3 grains (N.F.).

_Tinctura Pa.s.siflorae (Tr. Pa.s.siflor.), Tincture of Pa.s.sion Flower, N.F._--Pa.s.sion flower (20%), in diluted alcohol. Absolute alcohol content about 45 per cent.

DOSAGE: 0.6 Cc. or 10 minims (N.F.).

=PASTAE DERMATOLOGICAE, DERMATOLOGIC PASTES.=--Dermatologic pastes are medicaments for external use. They are ointment-like mixtures containing starch or dextrin with glycerin, soft soap, petrolatum or lard mixed with some active medicinal agent. For the official dermatologic pastes see under the names of the princ.i.p.al const.i.tuents.

=*Pelletierinae Tannas (Pellet. Tann.), Pelletierine Tannate, U.S.P.=--A mixture of alkaloids from pomegranate.

A light yellow, odorless powder with an astringent taste. Slightly soluble in water (1:240) and soluble in alcohol (1:16).

ACTION AND USES: Anthelmintic and teniafuge.

DOSAGE: 0.25 Gm. or 4 grains (U.S.P.). May be administered suspended in water. Should be given on an empty stomach followed after one or two hours by brisk purging. Not more than 0.3 Gm. or 5 grains should be given.

=Pepo (Pepo), Pepo, U.S.P.= (Pumpkin Seed).

ACTION AND USES: Domestic anthelmintic; probably inefficient.

DOSAGE: 30 Gm. or 1 ounce (U.S.P.)