Benztropine pretreatment does not affect responses to acute cocaine administration in human volunteers.
Benztropine (Cogentin ) was evaluated for its ability to block cocaine's physiological and subjective effects in humans. In healthy, recreational users of cocaine, placebo, or benztropine (1, 2, and 4 mg orally) was given 2 hr before subjects self-administered 0.9 mg/kg of cocaine intranasally. Measurements were made for 2 hr following cocaine administration, and plasma cocaine and cocaine metabolites were assayed. Cocaine produced typical increases in heart rate and alterations in self-reports measured by visual analog scales (VAS). Benztropine alone did not produce changes on any of these measures. Responses to cocaine with and without benztropine pretreatment were similar: benztropine did not change cocaine's effects. This study of one of the tropane-ring analogs that is approved for human use suggests this compound does not alter cocaine-induced effects, but just as importantly, does not produce any adverse behavioral or physiological effects. The exact therapeutic application of benztropine as a possible adjunct treatment for cocaine abuse in humans require further exploration.
Penetar
David M
DM
Behavioral Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School MA 02478, USA. dpenetar@mclean.harvard.edu
Looby
Alison R
AR
Su
Zhaohui
Z
Lundahl
Leslie H
LH
Erös-Sarnyai
Monika
M
McNeil
Jane F
JF
Lukas
Scott E
SE
D000328:Adult; D001590:Benztropine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects; D005059:Euphoria / Q000187:drug effects; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011680:Pupil / Q000187:drug effects; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000187:drug effects
D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D001590:Benztropine; D003042:Cocaine