AUREOMYCIN AND ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE

To the Editor:—  One of the commonest difficulties in the administration of aureomycin in effective doses is the frequency of nausea and vomiting following gastric irritation. The concomitant administration of aluminum hydroxide and similar slow-acting antacids seems to prevent or relieve the gastric symptoms in some instances but not in others. I have used dinenhydrinate (dramamine) in doses of 100 mg. administered one to one-half hour before the dose of aureomycin, which is taken together with aluminum hydroxide gel or tablets, in 6 patients who had previously shown a severe intolerance to aureomycin with intense nausea and vomiting. These annoying symptoms cleared up immediately, and the patients were able to tolerate up to 1,000 mg. of aureomycin by mouth every four hours without discomfort. As with other antihistaminic drugs some drowsiness was present, which the patient could control by drinking coffee.While 6 cases do not constitute basis for an