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The interaction between monoamine oxidase inhibitors and narcotic analgesics in mice
Author(s) -
ROGERS K. J.,
THORNTON J. A.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1969.tb08003.x
Subject(s) - tranylcypromine , pentazocine , pethidine , pharmacology , monoamine oxidase , analgesic , monoamine oxidase inhibitor , iproniazid , nalorphine , toxicity , monoamine neurotransmitter , chemistry , levorphanol , medicine , opioid , serotonin , biochemistry , enzyme , (+) naloxone , receptor
1 The administration of either iproniazid or tranylcypromine to mice potentiates the acute toxicity of pethidine, morphine, pentazocine and phenazocine. 2 Blood levels of pentazocine in mice pretreated with tranylcypromine do not differ from the levels in animals not receiving the monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. 3 There is no correlation between changes in brain and liver MAO activity and the increased pethidine toxicity. 4 A comparison is made between the change in pethidine toxicity and the changes in the concentration of cerebral noradrenaline, dopamine and 5‐hydroxytryptamine following the injection of tranylcypromine. 5 It is concluded that the increased toxicity of potent analgesics in combination with MAO inhibitors is not due to a decelerated metabolism of the analgesic drug, but is related to an increased concentration of cerebral 5‐hydroxytryptamine. A critical level of this monoamine, in the brain, may be necessary before the drug interaction will take place.