Ventilatory Effects of Fentanyl, Heroin, and d-Methamphetamine, Alone and in Mixtures in Male Rats Breathing Normal Air

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The number of drug overdoses and deaths has increased significantly over the past decade and co-use of opioids and stimulants is associated with greater likelihood of overdose and decreased likelihood of accessing treatment, compared with use of opioids alone. Potential adverse effects of opioid/stimulant mixtures, particularly methamphetamine, are not well characterized. Two structurally different drugs with agonist properties at m-opioid receptors (MOR), fentanyl and heroin, and d-methamphetamine, alone and in mixtures, were assessed for their effects on ventilation in rats breathing normal air. Whole-body phethysmography chambers were equipped with a tower and swivel allowing infusions to indwelling intravenous catheters. After a 45-minute habituation period, saline, fentanyl, heroin, or d-methamphetamine, alone and in mixtures, was administered. Five minutes later, the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone or vehicle was injected. Fentanyl (0.0032–0.1 mg/kg) and heroin (0.32–3.2 mg/kg) decreased ventilation [frequency (f) and tidal volume (VT)] in a dose-related manner whereas d-methamphetamine (0.1–3.2 mg/kg) increased f to >400% of control and decreased VT to <60% of control, overall increasing minute volume (product of f and VT) to >240% of control. When combined, d-methamphetamine (0.1–3.2 mg/kg) attenuated the ventilatory depressant effects of fentanyl (0.1 mg/kg) and heroin (3.2 mg/kg). d-Methamphetamine did not alter the potency of naloxone to reverse the ventilatory depressant effects of fentanyl or heroin. These studies demonstrate that d-methamphetamine can attenuate the ventilatory depressant effects of moderate doses of opioid receptor agonists while not altering the potency of naloxone to reverse opioid hypoventilation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)244-256
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
Volume388
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Ventilatory Effects of Fentanyl, Heroin, and d-Methamphetamine, Alone and in Mixtures in Male Rats Breathing Normal Air'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this