Chronic treatment with amitriptyline produces supersensitivity to nicotine.
The authors used a thermoregulation paradigm to evaluate effects of amitriptyline (AMI) on the sensitivity of a nicotinic mechanism involved in the regulation of core temperature in rats. Treatment with this tricyclic was associated with a significant increase in the hypothermic response to nicotine. Supersensitivity persisted for a minimum of 7.5 days following the last dose of AMI, and a significant proportion of animals displayed increased sensitivity after 14.5 days of abstinence. Implications for the mechanism of action of AMI are highlighted.
Dilsaver
S C
SC
Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109.
Majchrzak
M J
MJ
Alessi
N E
NE
D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D000639:Amitriptyline; D009538:Nicotine