title: Effects of the contraceptive pill on sedative responses to clonidine and apomorphine in normal women.
abstract: In normal women sedation following intravenous administration of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine (1.3 micrograms/kg) was significantly greater following 3 weeks' continuous treatment with the combined contraceptive pill than at the end of the 7-day withdrawal period. In contrast, sedative responses to the dopamine agonist apomorphine (5 micrograms/kg subcutaneously) were decreased when subjects were taking the contraceptive pill. These findings are in agreement with animal experimental studies, indicating that oestrogen can alter alpha-adrenoceptor and dopamine autoreceptor sensitivity. Such interactions may be involved in the effects of female sex steroids on mood.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Chalmers
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fulli-Lemaire
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Cowen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000494:pharmacology; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D009644:Norgestrel / Q000494:pharmacology; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D009644:Norgestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D013006:Growth Hormone; D003000:Clonidine; D001058:Apomorphine