Development of dependence on levorphanol in rats by oral intake of the drug -- the influence of taste on drinking behaviour in rats physically dependent on levorphanol.
Oral administration of levorphanol solution induces physical dependence in rats within a few days, as demonstrated by abstinence symptoms such as loss of body weight, sensitivity to touch and inversion of locomotor activity after withdrawal from the drug. In order to examine whether the physically dependent rats show an active drug-seeking behaviour they were given successively free choice between sweetened levorphanol solution (LSa) and two alternative drinking liquids -- sweetened tap water (WSa) and unadulterated water (W). In the case of LSa and W the rats chose LSa, but they preferred WSa to LSa. Another group of rats made dependent on unsweetened levorphanol solution (L) had the choice between L and W. They rejected L immediately.
D000818:Animals; D004327:Drinking Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007981:Levorphanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D013395:Sucrose; D013649:Taste
D007981:Levorphanol; D013395:Sucrose