A low dose of aripiprazole attenuates the subject-rated effects of d-amphetamine.
Despite increased reports of amphetamine abuse and dependence, a putative pharmacotherapy has yet to be identified. In a previous study from our laboratory, 20 mg aripiprazole, an atypical antipsychotic that has partial agonist activity at D(2) receptors, attenuated many of the behavioral effects of d-amphetamine. Aripiprazole (20 mg) also impaired performance on a computerized version of the DSST when administered alone, indicating that the attenuation observed may have been functional as opposed to receptor mediated. The present experiment was conducted to determine whether a lower dose of aripiprazole (10 mg) could acutely attenuate the discriminative-stimulus, subject-rated, and physiological effects of d-amphetamine (2.5-15 mg) without impairing performance as measured with a computerized version of the DSST. The results of the present experiment indicate that 10 mg aripiprazole attenuated some abuse-related behavioral effects of d-amphetamine and was generally devoid of effects, including significant performance impairment, when administered alone. These findings suggest that 10 mg aripiprazole would be a reasonable starting dose for the treatment of stimulant abuse and dependence. Future research should examine the effects of chronic aripiprazole administration in combination with methamphetamine or cocaine.
Stoops
William W
WW
Department of Behavioral Science, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, 40536-0086, USA.
Lile
Joshua A
JA
Glaser
Paul E A
PE
Rush
Craig R
CR
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015363:Quinolones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D003913:Dextroamphetamine