Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
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Neuropsychopharmacology · Mar 2005
Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialEffects of the mixed mu/kappa opioid nalbuphine on cocaine-induced changes in subjective and cardiovascular responses in men.
Kappa opioid agonists functionally antagonize some abuse-related and locomotor effects of cocaine, and reduce cocaine self-administration by rhesus monkeys. We compared the cardiovascular and subjective effects of acute doses of the mu/kappa opioid nalbuphine alone (5 mg/70 kg, intravenous (i.v.)), with cocaine alone (0.2 mg/kg, i.v.), and with nalbuphine+cocaine in combination, under placebo-controlled, double-blind conditions. Subjects met American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) criteria for current cocaine abuse. ⋯ Peak VAS ratings of High, Stimulated, Good Effect, and Drug Effect were also significantly higher after nalbuphine+cocaine than after cocaine alone (p<0.01). Addiction Research Center Inventory (ARCI) scores were equivalent for nalbuphine+cocaine and nalbuphine alone, but the PCAG, MBG, and amphetamine scores were significantly higher after both nalbuphine+cocaine and nalbuphine alone than after cocaine alone (p<0.01-0.003). Thus, there were no additive interactions between nalbuphine and cocaine on cardiovascular, subjective, or drug level measures after acute administration.