Bupropion Reduces Methamphetamine-Induced Subjective Effects and Cue-Induced Craving

Abstract

Bupropion is an antidepressant with stimulant properties, which inhibits the reuptake of dopamine (DA) and norepinepherine, and is purported to enhance DA neurotransmission. Bupropion is considered an appealing candidate medication for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence. The current laboratory study was set forth to assess the impact of bupropion treatment on the subjective effects produced by methamphetamine in the laboratory. We also assessed the effects of bupropion treatment on craving elicited by exposure to videotaped methamphetamine cues. A total of 26 participants were enrolled and 20 completed the entire study (n ¼ 10 placebo and n ¼ 10 bupropion, parallel groups design). Bupropion treatment was associated with reduced ratings of 'any drug effect' (po0.02), and 'high' (po0.02) following methamphetamine administration. There was also a significant bupropion-by-cue exposure interaction on General Craving Scale total score (po0.002), and on the Behavioral Intention subscale (po0.001). Overall, the data reveal that bupropion reduced acute methamphetamine-induced subjective effects and reduced cue-induced craving. Importantly, these data provide a rationale for the evaluation of bupropion in the treatment of methamphetamine dependence.

The Effects of Naltrexone on Subjective Response to Methamphetamine in a Clinical Sample: a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Laboratory Study

“…The UCLA Investigational Drug Pharmacy prepared two 15-mg (5 ml) infusions in 0.9% sodium chloride solution for each MA administration session. The dose selected and administration procedures were consistent with previous behavioral pharmacology studies (Newton et al, 2008;Newton et al, 2006), having demonstrated safety and efficacy in producing elevations in subjective effects.…”

Potentiation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-mediated neuronal injury during methamphetamine withdrawal in vitro requires co-activation of IP3 receptors

“…During METH withdrawal, increases in craving have been reported by regular METH users (McGregor et al, 2005). Cueinduced craving, in particular, is a significant risk factor for relapse in abstinent METH users (Chang and Haning, 2006;Newton et al, 2006) and has been suggested to involve activation of the hippocampus in stimulant and depressant users (Kilts et al, 2001;Schneider et al, 2001). Though the specific means by which METH may influence NMDA receptor-mediated responses has not been fully elucidated, this receptor system represents a molecular target of METH that should be further studied as it may represent a novel therapeutic target to be exploited in the maintainence of abstinence from METH use.…”

Bupropion for the Treatment of Methamphetamine Dependence

“…That study showed bupropion did not exacerbate the cardiovascular or behavioral effects induced by methamphetamine. Furthermore, bupropion significantly attenuated some of the subjective effects of methamphetamine, including the 'high' on visual analogue scale, and the craving for methamphetamine that was elicited by video cues (Newton et al, 2006). Based on the clinical data from the cocaine study and the phase I study, we expected bupropion to be efficacious in the depressed subgroup, and/or to reduce craving.…”