Methadone induced physical dependence in the rat. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Although the morphine withdrawal syndrome has been well described in the rat, a syndrome having similar characteristics has not been demonstrated following chronic methadone treatment. In this study we describe the behavioral effects produced by naloxone (4 mg/kg sc) following 72 hours of continuous iv infusion of methadone, (12.2 micrograms/kg/min), morphine (12.2 to 97.9 micrograms/kg/min) or saline. The cessation of methadone or morphine but not saline treatment followed by naloxone resulted in graded signs including wet dog shakes, escape attempts, self-stimulation and body weight loss and quantal signs including diarrhea, ear blanching, exophthalmos, ptosis, tachypnea and teeth chattering. These results indicate that this mode of methadone administration produces physical dependence characterized by a morphine-like withdrawal syndrome in the rat.

publication date

  • February 13, 1984

Research

keywords

  • Methadone
  • Substance-Related Disorders

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0021367673

PubMed ID

  • 6538254

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 34

issue

  • 7