Health Sciences · Hospital for Sick Children
A yellow-white cardboard package with two off-white labels contains 10 glass ampules in compartments formed by a cardboard divider. Each ampule has a narrow yellow band encircling the notched area of the neck. Each ampule contains a milky white liquid and an identifying label containing the same information as the larger of the two labels on the box.
The smaller label on the box notably identifies its contents as an “Investigational Drug—for use by qualified investigators only”.
Accession Number: 2025.sk.27
Alfathesin, Alphathesin, Althesin, Alfaxolone, Alfadolone
Primary Materials: Cardboard, Glass.
CT 1341// Ref. 1341/M – Embossed on lid flap: 2610/ 5
Box: Height = 8.5, Width = 9, Length = 3.5.
Alfaxolone/ Alfadolone (also Alfathesin, Alphathesin, and Althesin) was an intravenous anesthetic consisting of a 3:1 mixture of two steroids: Alophaxalone and alphadolone acetate. A series of clinical studies of this anesthetic took place over the early to mid 1970s. (see Brogden, Speight, and. Avery 1974).
This item is in very good condition and appears unused. The box is slightly worn, but the phials are unopened.
Associated Instruments:
Glaxo Laboratories Ltd. Greenford. Middlesex, England.
Date of Manufacture: c. 1970s
Provenance:
K. J. Child et al. 1971. “The pharmacological properties in animals of CT1341—a new steroid anaesthetic agent.” British Journal of Anaesthesia 43: 2-13.
R. Brogden, T. Speight, and G. Avery 1974. “Alfathesin (‘Althesin’ – Glaxo): An Independent Report.” Drugs. 1974;8(2):87-108.
K. Rifat, H. Stainier, M. Gemperle, G. Szappanyos. M. Hemmer M, and V. Weiss 1975. “Klinische Untersuchungen des Steroid-Anaestheticums CT-1341 (Althesin) (Kardiovasculäre und respiratorische Wirkungen)” [Clinical investigations of the steroid anaesthetic agent CT-1341 (Althesin) (Cardiovascular and respiratory effects)]. Anaesthesist. 1975 Jan;24(1):6-12.
Jean-Paul Dechêne 1976. “Alphathesin, a new steroid anaesthetic agent.” Canadian Anaesthetists’ Society Journal 23, 163–169.
Alfaxolone/ Alfadolone (initially called Glaxo CT1341) was developed through animal trials at Glaxo Research Ltd. Fulmer, England. (See K. J. Child et. al. 1971.) It subsequently underwent clinical testing over the early 1970s. (see Dechêne 1976). Althesin was withdrawn in 1984 due to allergic reactions to the solubilizing agent Cremophor. The drug was reintroduced as Alfaxalone in a new formulation.