KH-3
Scientific Name(s): 2-diethylaminoethyl 4-aminobenzoate hydrochloride, Procaine hydrochloride
Common Name(s): GeroVita, Gerovital H3, GH-3, KH-3
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 13, 2021.
Clinical Overview
Use
No credible clinical trial data exist to support the use of KH-3 or other procaine preparations in inhibiting diseases of aging or antidepressant activity. Adverse effects may limit therapeutic applications. Gerovital (KH-3) and similar products require an approved Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for legal marketing.
Dosing
There is no clinical evidence to support specific dosage recommendations for KH-3 or other procaine preparations..
Contraindications
KH-3 is contraindicated in patients with myasthenia gravis (ie, progressive muscular weakness) and systemic lupus erythematosus (theoretical risk of this condition being induced by procainamide). KH-3 may antagonize the antibacterial effect of sulfonamides through para-aminobenzoic acid competition. Prolonged neuromuscular blockade may occur with concurrent use of KH-3 with succinylcholine. KH-3 is potentially contraindicated in patients taking anticholinesterase and anticholinergic agents. KH-3 is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug. Furthermore, because of the lack of clinical trial data, KH-3 should not be used during pregnancy.
Pregnancy/Lactation
Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Avoid use.
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
Reports have described heartburn, restlessness, dizziness, migraine, and systemic lupus erythematosus following treatment with KH-3. KH-3 is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug.
Toxicology
No data.
History
Although procaine HCl is a pure synthetic drug, its use as one of the active ingredients in KH-3 is marketed by many commercial Web sites as a "natural" approach to reversing or delaying the aging process. KH-3 was developed in Germany in the 1960s and was popularized by Romanian and other Eastern European researchers.Kent 1976 Gerovital (KH-3) and similar products require an approved Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for legal marketing.FDA 2009
These products have been administered parenterally and orally for their effect on the overall aging process and for the treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis, progressive dementia, arthritis, hair loss, hypertension, and sexual dysfunction.
Chemistry
Preparations are based primarily on the pharmacologic effects of procaine HCl and are often marketed as mixtures of procaine, buffers (eg, benzoic acid, potassium metabisulfate), analgesics, and nutritional supplements.Brodaty 1990 One preparation from Germany contains procaine, hematoporphyrin to aid absorption of procaine, magnesium carbonate, sodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium HCl, and other compounds. Most products contain approximately 2% procaine HCl. Studies have shown that the biotrophic treatment with Gerovital H3 has a strong influence on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase with a tendency to diminish the thermolabile fractions.MacFarlane 1975
A "G.H.3." product was used in a clinical study; however, it did not contain any protamine, and instead contained a number of vitamins and minerals in combination with St. John’s wort, Ginkgo biloba, glutathione, and dimethylaminoethanol.Xu 2016
Uses and Pharmacology
Procaine has been used for decades as a local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic. The compound has a number of pharmacologic characteristic...
