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How toxic are propoxyphene and ethanol in combination?
Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
|June 1, 1984
Summary
Ethanol and propoxyphene combination is less lethal than expected. Animal studies indicate their interaction is less than additive for lethality and motor coordination loss, and additive for sedation.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Propoxyphene is an opioid analgesic.
- Ethanol is a central nervous system depressant.
- The interaction between propoxyphene and ethanol is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined effects of propoxyphene and ethanol on lethality and behavior in mice.
- To determine if ethanol potentiates propoxyphene lethality.
Main Methods:
- Mice were administered varying doses of propoxyphene hydrochloride and ethanol intraperitoneally.
- Isobolographic analysis was used to assess the combined effects.
Main Results:
- The combination of propoxyphene and ethanol showed less-than-additive effects on lethality.
- Motor coordination loss was also less than additive.
- Sedation effects were found to be additive at worst.
Conclusions:
- Ethanol does not significantly potentiate propoxyphene lethality in mice.
- The observed interaction is less than additive for major toxic endpoints.
- Further clinical studies may be warranted to confirm these findings in humans.