Increased marihuana-induced fetotoxicity by a low dose of concomitant alcohol administration

Many pregnant women use both alcohol and marihuana. To evaluate the effects of this combination on fetotoxicity, pregnant mice in the experimental group were injected with a relatively low dose of alcohol (1 g/kg) and with one of two doses of marihuana extract (equivalent of 50 or 100 g/kg delta 9-THC). Control mice received marihuana extract or alcohol alone. The combination of alcohol and the high dose of marihuana produced a greater effect on fetotoxicity (83%) than either marihuana or alcohol alone or that due to the additive effects of either of these substances (63%). The combination of alcohol and the lower dose of marihuana extract did not increase fetotoxicity significantly. Doses of alcohol that are otherwise without effect on pregnancy may thus have the potential for greatly increasing the effects of drugs on pregnancy outcome.