strychnine

(strĭk′nīn )

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(-nēn)
(-nĭn)
[Gr. strychnos, nightshade]
A poisonous alkaloid, used to kill rodents, that may produce nausea and vomiting, symmetrical muscle spasms, fever, muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), and renal failure. It has no therapeutic usefulness but has been used as an experimental tool in neuropharmacology.

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