Effects of naloxone on the subjective and psychomotor effects of nitrous oxide in humans.
James P Zacny, Dennis W. Coalson, J L Lichtor, S Yajnik, P Thapar
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior November 1, 1994 DOI: 10.1016/0091-3057(94)90071-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Double-blind Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Nitrous oxide Naloxone |
| Dose | Naloxone: 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 mg/70 kg (Experiment 1); 0, 1.0, 3.0, 10 mg/70 kg (Experiment 2) |
| Measures | subject-rated reports of 'feel drug effect', 'carefree', 'drunk', 'sedated', 'high'; psychomotor performance |
| Key findings | Naloxone, at doses up to 10 mg per 70 kg, does not appear to affect the subjective or psychomotor effects of nitrous oxide. |
Abstract
The effects of naloxone on the mood-altering and psychomotor-impairing effects of nitrous oxide were examined in two studies. Each of the double-blind, randomized trials tested effects of three doses of naloxone or saline placebo during inhalation of 30% nitrous oxide in oxygen or 100% oxygen placebo. Experiment 1 tested a range of naloxone doses used clinically to reverse opiate-induced respiratory depression (0, 0.01, 0.1 1.0 mg/70 kg) and Experiment 2 included a dose approximately 25 times higher than that needed to reverse opiate-induced respiratory depression (0, 1.0, 3.0, 10 mg/70 kg). Nitrous oxide increased subject-rated reports of "feel drug effect," "carefree," "drunk," "sedated," and "high", and decreased psychomotor performance in both experiments. Naloxone had no effects by itself in either experiment, and, for the most part, did not significantly interact with nitrous oxide-induced changes in mood or psychomotor performance. Naloxone, in doses of 10 mg or less, does not appear to affect the subjective and psychomotor effects of nitrous oxide.