Pilulae Copaibae.—Pills of Copaiba. Pilulae Copaibae Compositae

Pilulae Copaibae.—Pills of Copaiba.

Related entry: Copaiba (U. S. P.)—Copaiba

Preparation.—Take of copaiba and white wax, of each, 1 drachm. Melt the wax, mix in the copaiba, and divide into 30 pills (compare Massa Copaibae). These pills are frequently combined in other proportions, and with the addition of cubebs. Thus: take of copaiba 1 part; white wax, 1 ½ parts; cubebs, in powder, 2 parts. Melt the wax, add the copaiba and cubebs, and divide into 4-grain pills. This combination is suitable to warm climates. Another combination is: take of copaiba, 1 part; white wax, 2 parts; cubebs, in powder, 3 parts. Prepare as above, and divide into 4-grain pills.

Copaiba is usually solidified into a pill mass by the use of the recently calcined magnesia. The magnesia absorbs the oil of copaiba, and at the same time forms with the acid of the copaiba a copaivate of magnesium. The time required to effect the solidification of the copaiba will be several hours, and the quantity of magnesia required will depend upon the amount of copaivic acid present. Ordinarily, 16 parts of magnesia to 1 of copaiba will effect the solidification; and the mass should not be allowed to harden too much before it is divided into pills. The addition of the magnesia does not materially increase the size of the pill.

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—These pills are useful in gonorrhoea, and other affections where the medicinal agents are indicated. The dose is 2 to 4 pills, 3 times a day.


Pilulae Copaibae Compositae.—Compound Pills of Copaiba.

Preparation.—Take of solidified copaiba, 1 drachm; ethereal extract of cubebs, ½ drachm; resin of podophyllum, 9 grains; gum myrrh, 1 drachm; alcoholic extract of nux vomica, 15 grains. Mix thoroughly, and divide into 3-grain pills.

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—These pills are useful in gonorrhoea, gleet, stricture, and chronic inflammation of the prostate. The dose is from 2 to 4 pills, twice a day. For ordinary cases, the following preparation will be found beneficial: Take of solidified copaiba, 2 drachms; ethereal extract of cubebs, 1 drachm; oil of juniper, a sufficient quantity, not to impair the pilular consistency of the mass. Mix, and divide into pills of 4 grains each. The dose is the same as above.


King's American Dispensatory, 1898, was written by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D.