TOXIC INTERACTIONS OF STIMULANTS, NARCOTICS AND NARCOTIC-ANTAGONISTS

Abstract

The lethality of combinatins of CNS stimulants, narcotics and narcotic antagonists in rodents [rats and mice] housed individually are examined. The lethality from d-amphetamine was potentiated by methadone, cyclazocine and morphine, in that order of potency. Naloxone did not enhance lethality from d-amphetamine in mice, whereas it did antagonize lethality from morphine-d-amphetamine interactions. Naloxone slightly enhanced it from d-amphetamine in rats but at a higher dose than those found to antagonize the lethality from morphine-d-amphetamine combinations. Methadone enhanced the lethality from cocaine. These results have important implications for drug abusers and for patients being treated for narcotic addiction with a methadone maintenance program or a clyclazocine administration program.