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Comparison of graded single intramuscular doses of morphine and pentobarbital in man
Author(s) -
Martin William R.,
Thompson William O.,
Fraser Havelock F.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1002/cpt1974156623
Subject(s) - pentobarbital , medicine , anesthesia , morphine , narcotic , placebo , intramuscular injection , pharmacology , pathology , alternative medicine
Graded single intramuscular doses of morphine sulfate (8, 16, and 32 mg) and pentobarbital sodium (150, 200, and 250 mg) and a placebo were administered double blind to 12 nontolerant narcotic addicts. To assess the the magnitude and time course of subiective effects and associated signs, “single and chronic dose” opiate questionnaires were completed by subjects and observers. Objective measurements of drug effect were concurrently made, using photographs of the pupils and the duration of postrotational nystagmus. Overall, the questionnaires showed definite and different constellations of symptoms and signs for morphine and pentobarbital. Objective measurements were also different. Morphine induced a dose‐related decrease in pupillary diameter and an increase in the signs scratching, relaxed, coasting, talkativeness, and conjunctival injection and caused relaxation, talkativeness, and turning of the stomach. Pentobarbital induced a dose‐related increase in the duration of postrotational nystagmus and caused sleepiness and drunkenness. Both drugs induced euphoria.