TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of phenoxybenzamine on the narcotic withdrawal syndrome in the rat
AU - Cicero, T. J.
AU - Meyer, E. R.
AU - Bell, R. D.
N1 - Funding Information:
* Supported in part by USPHS grants DA-00159 and DA-00109. t Recipient of Research Scientist ~velopment Award l-K~-MH-70180 601
PY - 1974/7
Y1 - 1974/7
N2 - The effects of various α- and β-adrenergic blocking agents on the narcotic withdrawal syndrome in rats were determined. α-Adrenergic blockers caused a dose-dependent suppression of two behavioural responses characteristic of precipitated narcotic withdrawal in the rat: diarrhoea and, most notably, wet-dog shakes. The β-adrenergic blocker, propranolol, did not effect the expression of the narcotic withdrawal syndrome. The effects of α-blockers on withdrawal behaviour did not appear to be due to the slight degree of sedation produced by the highest doses of the drugs, because pentobarbital and promethazine, in doses sufficient to induce marked sedation and anaesthesia, did not decrease the severity of withdrawal. In fact, pentobarbital appeared to exacerbate the abstinence syndrome.
AB - The effects of various α- and β-adrenergic blocking agents on the narcotic withdrawal syndrome in rats were determined. α-Adrenergic blockers caused a dose-dependent suppression of two behavioural responses characteristic of precipitated narcotic withdrawal in the rat: diarrhoea and, most notably, wet-dog shakes. The β-adrenergic blocker, propranolol, did not effect the expression of the narcotic withdrawal syndrome. The effects of α-blockers on withdrawal behaviour did not appear to be due to the slight degree of sedation produced by the highest doses of the drugs, because pentobarbital and promethazine, in doses sufficient to induce marked sedation and anaesthesia, did not decrease the severity of withdrawal. In fact, pentobarbital appeared to exacerbate the abstinence syndrome.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0016157613&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/0028-3908(74)90049-5
DO - 10.1016/0028-3908(74)90049-5
M3 - Article
C2 - 4155053
AN - SCOPUS:0016157613
VL - 13
SP - 601
EP - 607
JO - Neuropharmacology
JF - Neuropharmacology
SN - 0028-3908
IS - 7
ER -