Reversal of ethanol intoxication in humans: an assessment of the efficacy of L-dopa, aminophylline, and ephedrine.
The effect of postethanol treatment with L-Dopa, aminophylline and/or ephedrine was investigated. In one experiment, healthy, male, moderate drinkers ingested ethanol (0.8 g/kg) and then either L-Dopa (1.5 g), or placebo. In a second experiment, subjects ingested ethanol followed by aminophylline (200 mg), ephedrine (50 mg), aminophylline (200 mg) plus ephedrine (50 mg), or placebo. Double-blind, within-subjects, crossover designs were employed. Treatment with L-Dopa significantly reduced ethanol's effect on the electroencephalogram, motor coordination, and divided attention performance (t-test for paired data). Treatment with aminophylline and/or ephedrine also significantly reduced ethanol's effects on the electroencephalogram and motor coordination. The ethanol-antagonism may result from central noradrenergic stimulation.
D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000628:Aminophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004809:Ephedrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos
D010919:Placebos; D000628:Aminophylline; D000431:Ethanol; D007980:Levodopa; D004809:Ephedrine