Effects of selegiline pretreatment on response to experimental cocaine administration

Several medications have been reported to alter the subjective effects of experimentally administered cocaine. We studied the effects of selegiline, a monoamine oxidase B inhibitor, on the subjective effects of experimentally administered cocaine in chronically cocaine-dependent subjects. Eight subjects completed a protocol that involved repeated administrations of cocaine before and after treatment with selegiline, given in extended release form, 10 mg per day. Four days of treatment with selegiline was associated with decreased self-reported 'high' and 'stimulated' feelings after cocaine administration, measured as the area under the curve. Changes in other subjective effects were less pronounced. Selegiline pretreatment had minimal effects on the cardiovascular responses to cocaine administration.