Piperazine

PIPERAZINE, Piperazinum (syn. Piperazidinum, Arthriticinum, Aethyleniminum, old name Dispermin), a basic compound of the formula _HN/^CH2-CH2\_N\CH2-CH₂/ >NH, i.e., diethylenediamine. At one time the formula of piperazine was attributed to spermine. Piperazine does not occur in nature and is obtained synthetically. Physicochemical properties: colorless crystals with a weak, peculiar odor and alkaline-saline taste, soluble in water and alcohol; melting point of anhydrous piperazine is 104-107°, with water of crystallization (commercial) - 44°; attracts moisture and CO₂ from the air; the base is volatile at ordinary temperature. With common general reagents for alkaloids, it gives corresponding precipitates; with uric acid, it forms a readily soluble salt—neutral uric acid piperazine (C₄H₁₀N₂.C₅H₄O₃N₄). Upon incineration of commercial piperazine, no more than 0.1% ash should remain. It is stored in well-stoppered bottles (it is hygroscopic), protected from light and acids (CO₂ and HCl); if piperazine becomes damp, it is dried over calcium chloride. Physiological action. Piperazine and its preparations gained fame as solvents for uric acid and its salts. Some clinicians note a favorable effect of piperazine on the course of diseases in which the excretion and production of uric acid are impaired. Confirmation of this is provided by experiments on dissolving uric acid in vitro; Rubtsov's studies on pigeons also showed a reduction in uric acid deposits under the influence of piperazine and its derivatives, but the majority of authors did not obtain a dramatic effect from piperazine; apparently, rapid oxidation of piperazine occurs in the body; furthermore, blood chlorides lower the solubility of piperazine and consequently its concentration in the blood; a certain beneficial effect in piperazine treatment may depend on the simultaneous administration of alkalis and water and the associated improvement in digestion, bile secretion, etc. Piperazine is most frequently used for gout, as well as for kidney and urinary stones and sand, and for catarrh of the bladder.

Preparations. 1. Pure piperazine (Piperazinum purum), per os 0.5-1.0 several times a day in mildly alkaline water (Seltzer, soda, Borjomi); subcutaneously into gouty nodules—0.05-0.1 in a 10% solution; compresses on gouty nodules from a 1-2% solution; for bladder irrigation, 1-2% solutions are used.—2. Quinovate of piperazine (Piperazinum chinicum, Sidonalum); obtained by neutralizing piperazine with quinic acid; a colorless powder of acid taste and reaction, readily soluble in water; per os 0.5-1.0 (up to 10.0 per day) in mineral water. Some clinicians attribute the effect not only to piperazine, but also to quinic acid.—3. Tartrate of piperazine (Lycetol, Lycetolum), i.e., the tartaric acid salt of dimethylpiperazine [(CH₃)₂C₄H₈N₂].C₄H₆O₆, a white crystalline powder, soluble in water, of acidic reaction and taste; dose 0.3 three to four times a day in mineral water together with Natrium bicarbonicum or Magnesia usta. Lycetol also possesses a diuretic effect due to the presence of tartaric acid.—4. Salicylate of piperazine (P. salicylicum); obtained by mixing a boiling concentrated solution of 1 part piperazine and 2 parts salicylic acid; soluble in water, alcohol, and ether. Doses as for pure piperazine.—5. Ichthyolidin (Ichthyolidinum, Piperazinii thiohydrocarburosulfonicum) - a compound of piperazine with ichthyosulfonic acid; a brownish-black powder with a weak odor and bitterish taste, insoluble in water, soluble in alkaline liquids; contains 15% piperazine and 16% sulfur. Used internally in the form of 0.25 tablets three to four times a day.