Articles: narcotic-antagonists.
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Neuropsychopharmacology · Jun 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe effects of chronic naltrexone treatment in young autistic children: a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study.
In a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial 23 autistic children, aged 3-7 years, were treated with a mean daily dosage of 1 mg/kg naltrexone for 4 weeks. Drug effects were monitored with behavior checklists rated by parents and teachers, and ethological playroom observations. ⋯ They reported a decrease in hyperactivity and irritability. No effects of naltrexone on social and stereotypic behavior could be demonstrated.
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1. The effect of ondansetron, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonist, was studied in morphine-addicted rats. Morphine-dependence and tolerance, induced by drinking increasing concentrations of morphine sulphate in 5% sucrose solution for 3 weeks, were demonstrated by the naloxone-precipitated withdrawal syndrome and tail flick response to a thermal noxious stimulus (water at 50 degrees C), respectively. 2. ⋯ When detoxified rats were offered sucrose and morphine solutions for 10 days, the recurrence of opiate solution preference with relapse to dependence and tolerance was observed. 4. Giving ondansetron (0.1 or 1 microgram kg-1; i.p.; twice daily) on the 14th day of, or 7 days prior to, the 3-week induction period reduced dependence and tolerance seen during the 3-week morphine induction and the 10-day drinking preference periods. 5. 5-Hydroxytryptamine2 (5-HT2) receptor antagonism by cyproheptadine (100 or 250 micrograms kg-1; i.p.; twice daily) did not influence morphine-dependence and tolerance. 6. These findings suggest that ondansetron may be useful for treating opiate addiction and lowering the recidivism rate.
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Endogenous opioid tone in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
We have previously shown that there is deficient hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) responsiveness in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The basis for this deficient response is not known. The purpose of the project was to investigate whether the defective HPA response in RA patients is the result of increased endogenous opioid tone secondary to chronic pain which can suppress corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) production. ⋯ The mean prolactin level showed no significant change in both groups after any treatment. We conclude that endogenous opioid tone does not appear to be a major contributor to the HPA defect in RA. However, the number of patients studied was small and this result will require confirmation from larger trials.
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Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. · Apr 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialMethylnaltrexone prevents morphine-induced delay in oral-cecal transit time without affecting analgesia: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.
Methylnaltrexone is a quaternary opioid antagonist with limited ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and the potential to antagonize the peripherally mediated effects of opioids. The effectiveness of methylnaltrexone in preventing morphine-induced changes in gastrointestinal motility and transit without affecting analgesia was evaluated in humans. Twelve healthy volunteers were given intravenous placebo, placebo plus 0.05 mg/kg morphine, or 0.45 mg/kg methylnaltrexone plus 0.05 mg/kg morphine. ⋯ Methylnaltrexone did not affect the analgesic effect of morphine on both pain intensity and pain bothersomeness ratings. At a higher dose of morphine (0.1 mg/kg), our preliminary results indicated that 0.45 mg/kg methylnaltrexone also prevented the morphine-induced delay in oral-cecal transit time, with no effect on analgesia. Methylnaltrexone may be a useful adjunct to opioids for the relief of opioid-induced constipation.