The effects of drugs on barbiturate withdrawal convulsions in the rat

Abstract

The effects of drugs on barbitone withdrawal convulsions in rats have been examined. Morphine and rnebanazine had no effect on audiogenically induced barbiturate withdrawal seizures. Alcohol, although suppressing the seizures, did not maintain drug dependence. Chlorpromazine prolonged the recovery period after the induction of the convulsions. Meprobamate, chlordiazepoxide and primidone substituted for the barbiturate and maintained drug dependence. 5-HydroxytryptamineY when administered intraventricularly, tryptophan, a-methyl-p-tyrosine and ethosuximide reduced the severity of the withdrawal seizures. Reserpine and p-chlorophenylalanine greatly increased the severity of the seizures. Anxiolytic sedatives substituted for barbitone in dependent animals, other drugs studied affected barbiturate withdrawal convulsions in a way similar to other convulsive processes.

General Pharmacology and Neuropharmacology of Benzodiazepine Derivatives

“…Rats made physically dependent on barbiturates develop upon withdrawal a syndrome consisting of weight loss, increased susceptibility to sound-induced convulsions, and the occasional appearance of spontaneous convulsive seizures. The withdrawal syndrome could be prevented by chlordiazepoxide, meprobamate, primidone, and diphenylhydantoin; ethosuximide reduced the severity of seizures (NORTON, 1970).…”

Pentobarbital blocks the pentylenetetrazole‐like effect of withdrawal from chronic diazepam

“…PB also blocked detection of thc PTZ stimulus. In addition, BDZ suppresses physical signs of withdrawal from barbiturates [Belknap, 1978;Norton, 1970;Keigel and Bourne. 19821.…”

“…Preliminary work from this laboratory has shown that PB blocks detection of the PTZ stimulus during either spontaneous or precipitated withdrawal from DZP [Emmett-Oglesby et al, 1983a,b]. In addition, administration of BDZ cross-suppresses physical signs of withdrawal from barbiturates [Belknap, 1978;Norton, 1970;Reigel and Bourne, 19821. Though BDZ administration also cross-suppresses the physical signs of ETOH withdrawal [Blum et al, 19761, the efficacy of ETOH for reducing the subjective symptoms of BDZ withdrawal is not known.…”