A comparison of calcium antagonists and diazepam in reducing ethanol withdrawal tremors.
The calcium antagonists nimodipine and dantrolene were compared with diazepam in an animal model of tolerance and physical dependence upon ethanol. Nimodipine and dantrolene were both effective in suppressing withdrawal tremors but diazepam was clearly superior to both agents. These results suggest that the ethanol withdrawal syndrome is only partially mediated by increased calcium flux.
Bone
G H
GH
Laboratory of Clinical Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Majchrowicz
E
E
Martin
P R
PR
Linnoila
M
M
Nutt
D J
DJ
D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003620:Dantrolene / Q000494:pharmacology; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009553:Nimodipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014202:Tremor / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D000431:Ethanol; D009553:Nimodipine; D003620:Dantrolene; D003975:Diazepam