Absence of an Effect of Naloxone on Ethanol Intoxication and Withdrawal Reactions

Abstract

Experimental and clinical results suggest a relationship between the action of ethanol and opiates. Therefore, we have tested whether the specific morphine antagonist naloxone (2 mg/kg intraperitoneally every six hours) affects signs of severe ethanol intoxication or modifies the withdrawal syndrome following chronic ethanol intoxication in rats. Using a double blind technique, we did not find any difference between saline treated and naloxone treated animals with respect to level of intoxication and severity of withdrawal symptoms. We must therefore conclude that naloxone does not modify signs of severe ethanol intoxication or change the ethanol withdrawal syndrome in the rat. These findings do not rule out that there might be a biochemical link between actions of ethanol and opiates, but this link is probably not localized at the level of specific drug receptor interaction.

Amethystic agents influencing toxicodynamics of ethanol

“…Налоксон и налтрексон (диапазон доз 2-16 мг/кг) не влияли на длительность этанолиндуцированной утраты рефлекса переворачивания у крыс, а опиоидный антагонист дипренорфин (4 мкг/кг) ослаблял депримирующий эффект спирта [38]. Не установлен отрезвляющий эффект налоксона в широком диапазоне доз для крыс, отравленных алкоголем, и в работах [39,40]. Также неэффективен был опиоидный антагонист (даже в дозе 5 мг/кг) при острой интоксикации мышей этанолом [41].…”