Aryl pyridinium compounds which are useful in treating shock

A composition of matter in dosage unit form which comprises a compound of the formula ##STR18## wherein (A) X is a divalent radical of:

• ##STR19## wherein p is the integer 0, 1, 2, or 3;
• n is the integer 0, 1, or 2;
• R.sub.6 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkenyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkylamino, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, phenyl, aminophenyl, substituted phenyl or substituted aminophenyl and the substituents are of one or more of the following C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 C.sub.4 alkoxy, halogen or trifluoromethyl, R.sub.7 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.25 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.25 alkenyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl and the substituents are C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkoxy, halogen or trifluoromethyl;
• R.sub.5 is --COR.sub.6 or --SO.sub.2 R.sub.7 wherein R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 are as previously described above
• (B) R.sub.1 is one or more substituents of the aromatic ring which may be the same or different and is
• (i) C.sub.1 -C.sub.25 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.25 alkenyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.25 alkoxy, C.sub.2 -C.sub.25 alkenyloxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.25 thioalkyl, phenyl, phenoxy, substituted phenyl or substituted phenoxy wherein the substituents are C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkoxy, halogen, or trifluoromethyl;
• (ii) halogen, trifluoromethyl, cyano, or nitro;
• (iii) --CO.sub.2 R.sub.7, --CONHR.sub.7, or --NHCOR.sub.7 wherein R.sub.7 is as previously described above;
• (C) the moiety R.sub.2 is one or more substituents of the pyridinium ring which may be in any position and are hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkoxy, or halogen;
• (D) the heterocycle is bonded to the x-group at optionally the 2, 3, or 4 position,
• (E) the group R.sub.3 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 halogen substituted alkyl, benzyl, hydrogen, or N-oxide;
• and
• (F) Z.sup..crclbar. represents a pharmacologically acceptable anion in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.