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Ritanserin, a new therapeutic approach for drug abuse. Part 3: Effects on fentanyl and sucrose
Author(s) -
Meert T. F.,
Janssen P. A. J.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
drug development research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.582
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1098-2299
pISSN - 0272-4391
DOI - 10.1002/ddr.430250106
Subject(s) - ritanserin , fentanyl , pharmacology , anesthesia , medicine , antagonist , receptor antagonist , receptor
Rats given the choice between fentanyl and water will develop a preference for fentanyl after a first period of exposure to fentanyl alone. Chronic treatment with the 5‐HT 2 antagonist ritanserin reduced the fentanyl intake and fentanyl preference. The effects of ritanserin were present from the first day and activity started at doses ≥0.04 mg/kg when given subcutaneously once daily. At 2.5 mg/kg ritanserin, the highest dose tested, fentanyl intake and fentanyl preference was reduced by 50 and 33%, respectively. The reductions in fentanyl intake were compensated by an increase in water drinking. At no time was there a systematic interference of ritanserin with consumatory physiological processes nor did ristanserin create aversion for fentanyl. Furthermore, ritanserin did not interact with the discriminative stimulus properties of fentanyl. In a similar experiment and in contrast to its activity on fentanyl intake, ritanserin was unable to reduce sucrose intake and sucrose preference. These results are discussed in terms of a global and specific mechanism of action of ritanserin on the need for drug reinforcement after chronic exposure to drugs of abuse.