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.
Department of Behavioral Science, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, 40536-0086, USA.
William W
WW
Stoops
Joshua A
JA
Lile
Paul E A
PE
Glaser
Craig R
CR
Rush
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