title: Time course of the enhancement and restoration of the analgesic efficacy of codeine and morphine by delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol.
abstract: Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC) synergizes with morphine and codeine by releasing endogenous opioids. These studies determined 1) the duration of enhancement of morphine and codeine by delta9-THC, 2) the effect of (delta9-THC on the time course of fully efficacious doses of the opioids, 3) restoration of efficacy of morphine and codeine by delta9-THC, and 4) duration of restoration. Sub-active combination doses of delta9-THC/morphine or delta9-THC/codeine are equivalent in duration of action and efficacy to high-dose opioids alone. Delta9-THC (20 mg/kg p.o.) significantly restores the antinociceptive effects of both high-dose morphine and codeine (100 and 200 mg/kg p.o., respectively) at later time points at which morphine or codeine was no longer active (360- and 120-min post-administration, respectively). Thus, the cannabinoid/opioid combination might be useful in therapeutics to enhance opioid activity, as well as to restore the efficacy of opioids.
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and School of Nurse Anesthesia, Virginia Commonwealth University MCV Campus, Richmond, VA 23298, United States.
authors: I Jovan
authors: IJ
authors: Williams
authors: Sherita
authors: S
authors: Edwards
authors: Alex
authors: A
authors: Rubo
authors: Victoria L
authors: VL
authors: Haller
authors: David L
authors: DL
authors: Stevens
authors: Sandra P
authors: SP
authors: Welch