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Published on: November 13, 2019
Amphetamines modulate fentanyl-depressed respiration in a bidirectional manner.
Harrison J Elder1, Neil B Varshneya2, D Matthew Walentiny1
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.
Fentanyl co-use with amphetamines may worsen respiratory depression. However, amphetamines might also reverse fentanyl-induced respiratory issues, offering potential overdose mitigation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The opioid epidemic, driven by fentanyl, causes numerous overdose deaths.
- Fentanyl is often used illicitly with psychostimulants, but its effect on respiratory toxicity is unknown.
- Rising psychostimulant overdoses frequently involve opioids, highlighting the need for this research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the respiratory effects of co-administering amphetamines with fentanyl.
- To determine if amphetamines exacerbate or mitigate fentanyl-induced respiratory depression.
- To explore potential therapeutic applications of amphetamines in opioid overdose.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated naloxone, d-amphetamine (AMPH), and methamphetamine (METH) in mice.
- Measured minute volume (MVb) using whole-body plethysmography.
- Assessed drug effects on basal and fentanyl-depressed respiration.
Main Results:
- Naloxone reversed fentanyl-induced respiratory depression only at high doses.
- AMPH and METH showed bidirectional effects on respiration, initially depressing then elevating it.
- Under fentanyl depression, AMPH and METH exaggerated the depression before reversing it.
Conclusions:
- Amphetamine co-use with fentanyl may initially worsen respiratory depression.
- Monoaminergic properties of amphetamines could potentially be leveraged to counteract fentanyl overdose.
- Further research is needed to explore amphetamines as a treatment for opioid overdose.
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