Microsomal enzyme induction following repeated oral administration of LAAM

The oral administration of 1-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) in the mouse was shown to cause a significant elevation in the hepatic LAAM N-demethylase activity. Compared to the self-induction phenomena found with methadone and propoxyphene, LAAM was three and two times more potent, respectively, on a molar basis than these two structurally similar narcotic analogs. Moreover, microsomal induction by LAAM resulted in significant elevations of aminopyrine N-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase activities. These effects were also correlated with a dose related decrement of pentobarbital sleeping time. Thus LAAM appears to be a relatively potent inducer of microsomal metabolism.