Repeated naltrexone administration accelerates resolution of morphine somatic withdrawal signs in morphine-dependent rats.
Morphine-dependent rats were divided into two subgroups. The first was allowed to develop a spontaneous withdrawal syndrome which was still present 33 h after the last morphine administration. The second subgroup received five injections of naltrexone. While the first two injections of naltrexone precipitated a marked somatic withdrawal syndrome, subsequent naltrexone failed to worsen the somatic signs. 24 h after the last morphine administration, naltrexone was completely ineffective. It is concluded that naltrexone shortens the duration of the morphine somatic withdrawal signs in dependent rats.
Muntoni
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AL
B.B. Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Italy.
Diana
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M
Gessa
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GL
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009021:Morphine Dependence / Q000523:psychology*; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone