Subjective response during continuous infusion of cocaine.
The relationship between the subjective effects induced by IV cocaine injection(s) and cocaine plasma concentrations is complex and difficult to interpret. We designed a study in which bolus loading doses of cocaine followed by 4-hr placebo infusions were compared with the same bolus loading doses of cocaine followed by 4-hr infusions of cocaine calculated to maintain the peak plasma concentrations produced by the bolus. Seven cocaine-using volunteers were successfully studied using a randomized double-blind design, in which self- and observer-rating scales were used to measure drug effects. After the cocaine bolus loading doses, scores for most subjective measures remained elevated when the bolus was followed by a cocaine infusion. In contrast, the subjective responses returned to baseline when the bolus was followed by a placebo infusion. However, self-estimates of the intensity of the cocaine "rush" were not altered by the presence of active cocaine infusions and returned rapidly to baseline.
Kumor
K M
KM
National Institute on Drug Abuse, Addiction Research Center, Baltimore, MD 21224.
Sherer
M A
MA
Gomez
J
J
Cone
E
E
Jaffe
J H
JH
D000328:Adult; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D004644:Emotions / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D013997:Time Factors
D003042:Cocaine