Effectiveness of lofexidine in blocking morphine-withdrawal signs in the rat.
Parole chiave
Astratto
Discontinuation of chronic morphine infusion in rats resulted in the reliable occurrence of withdrawal body shakes. This sign of narcotic withdrawal was dose-dependently reduced by lofexidine (0.04-0.64 mg/kg) and clonidine (0.01-0.16 mg/kg). As with clonidine, the activity of lofexidine was not prevented by naloxone (5 mg/kg). In addition, diarrhea induced by naloxone (5 mg/kg) in morphine dependent rats was also prevented by lofexidine or clonidine pretreatment. These data suggest that lofexidine, like clonidine, may reduce the narcotic withdrawal syndrome in humans.