Tetrodocain Explained

Tetrodocain (Korean: 테트로도카인주사약) is medical injection produced by the Korea Jangsaeng Joint Venture Company (Korean: 조선장생합영회사) in North Korea. The injection was first claimed to be invented by the company in 2004.^[1] According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the main ingredient of the injection is tetrodotoxin, isolated from puffer poisons, and operates as an anaesthetic.^[2] It has been sold for international export on sites based in Russia and China.^[3]

KCNA described the medicine as efficacious in treating a wide range of diseases, including cancer, tuberculosis, chronic hepatitis, pancreatitis and HIV/AIDS.^{[4] [5]} These claims have been deemed to be either exaggerated or false. The North Korean government also marketed its use in drug detoxification from narcotics such as opium, cocaine and heroin.^[6]

Related works

North Korea released a supposed clinical research thesis about the usage of tetrodocain for anesthetics in 2015.^[7]

See also

• Traditional Korean medicine
• Kumdang-2
• Neo-Viagra-Y.R.
• Royal Blood-Fresh

Notes and References

1. Web site: 북, 복어 독으로 차세대 진통제 개발. 2004-08-27.
2. News: Natural Tetrodocain Injection . 11 May 2021 . Korea News Service . . 2 September 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090906092614/http://kcna.co.jp/item/2009/200909/news02/20090902-12ee.html . 6 September 2009.
3. News: Fifield . Anna . We scrutinized North Korean 'Viagra' – and discovered it might actually work . 11 May 2021 . . 10 August 2016.
4. News: Efficacious Tetrodocain Injection . 11 May 2021 . Korea News Service . . 26 August 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20040902030255/http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2004/200408/news08/27.htm . 2 September 2004.
5. News: DPRK develops medicines with swellfish poison . 11 May 2021 . . . 17 December 2010 . 12 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210512060231/http://en.people.cn/90001/90777/90851/7233624.html . dead .
6. News: Hyun . Kwon Jeong . The Worst North Korean Export Goods in 2005 . 11 May 2021 . . 31 December 2005.
7. Web site: (연구 및 성과)테트로도카인과 1%리도카인을 경막외병합주입하여 수술후 무통을 보장하기 위한 림상적연구. 2015-02-17. 의학과학출판사. KIm Won-sik.