Abuse liability of flunitrazepam among methadone-maintained patients |
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Authors: | Magí Farré María-Teresa Terán Pere N Roset Marta Mas Marta Torrens J Camí |
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Institution: | (1) Pharmacology Research Unit, Institut Municipal d’Investigació Mèdica (IMIM) and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Doctor Aiguader 80, E–08003 Barcelona, Spain, ES;(2) Psychiatry and Drug Dependence Unit, Hospital del Mar, Paseo Marítimo 25, E–08003 Barcelona, Spain, ES;(3) Pharmacology Research Unit, Institut Municipal d’Investigació Mèdica (IMIM) and Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Doctor Aiguader 80, E–08003 Barcelona, Spain e–mail: jcami@imim.es, Fax: +34-93-2213237, ES |
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Abstract: | Abuse liability and acute subjective and psychomotor effects of flunitrazepam were assessed in ten methadone-maintained males
with history of benzodiazepine and alcohol use, who voluntarily participated in a double-blind, controlled, cross-over, randomized
clinical trial. There were six experimental sessions in which a single oral dose of flunitrazepam 1, 2, and 4 mg; triazolam
0.5 and 0.75 mg; and placebo was given. Evaluations included physiological measures; psychomotor performance tasks (simple
reaction time, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, balance task, Maddox-wing device); and self-administered subjective effects
questionnaires Addiction Research Center Inventory (ARCI), Profile of Mood States (POMS), a series of visual analog scales
(VAS)]. All drugs but flunitrazepam 1 mg caused an impairment of psychomotor tasks. Effects were more evident with the highest
doses of both drugs. Only flunitrazepam 4 mg produced a significant decrease in balance time. Triazolam 0.75 mg induced increases
in sedation measured by ARCI-PCAG, depression in POMS, and VAS-drowsiness scores. Flunitrazepam 4 mg caused euphoria-related
effects as measured by increases in ARCI-MBG and “high” scores in the VAS. Our findings of flunitrazepam-induced euphoria
in methadone-maintained subjects together with epidemiological evidence of flunitrazepam abuse by opioid dependents, suggest
that it may be included in the group of benzodiazepines with a relatively high abuse potential.
Received: 13 February 1998/Final version: 1 May 1998 |
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Keywords: | Flunitrazepam Benzodiazepine Methadone Abuse liability Opioid abuse |
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