The effects of cocaine in combination with other drugs of abuse on schedule-controlled behavior in the pigeon. 1990

E B Evans, and G R Wenger
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298.

The present experiment sought to provide information regarding the consequences of combining cocaine with other drugs of abuse. The effects of cocaine alone and in combination with d-amphetamine, caffeine, morphine or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol were determined in five male white Carneaux pigeons responding under a multiple fixed-ratio 30, fixed-interval 600 schedule (mult FR FI). Drug interactions were studied by redetermining the cocaine dose-response curve in the presence of various fixed doses of the other drugs. Under the mult FR FI schedule, when cocaine (1 to 10 mg/kg) was combined with inactive doses of d-amphetamine (0.1, 0.3, 1.0, and 1.8 mg/kg), caffeine (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg), morphine (0.3, and 1.0 mg/kg), and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (0.1 mg/kg), the FR and FI response rate dose-response curves were not shifted relative to the cocaine-alone curves. When cocaine was combined with an active dose of a drug which decreased response rate when given alone (0.3 mg/kg delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and 3 mg/kg morphine), the position of the response rate dose-response curves shifted compared to the cocaine-alone curves. The most frequent and consistent outcome of these interactions can be described as less than or approximately equal to an effect-additive interaction. Thus, these data indicate that the potential consequences of coabusing cocaine with the drugs tested in the present experiment can most often be predicted from the effects of each drug when taken alone.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009020 Morphine The principal alkaloid in opium and the prototype opiate analgesic and narcotic. Morphine has widespread effects in the central nervous system and on smooth muscle. Morphine Sulfate,Duramorph,MS Contin,Morphia,Morphine Chloride,Morphine Sulfate (2:1), Anhydrous,Morphine Sulfate (2:1), Pentahydrate,Oramorph SR,SDZ 202-250,SDZ202-250,Chloride, Morphine,Contin, MS,SDZ 202 250,SDZ 202250,SDZ202 250,SDZ202250,Sulfate, Morphine
D010856 Columbidae Family in the order COLUMBIFORMES, comprised of pigeons or doves. They are BIRDS with short legs, stout bodies, small heads, and slender bills. Some sources call the smaller species doves and the larger pigeons, but the names are interchangeable. Columba livia,Doves,Pigeons,Domestic Pigeons,Feral Pigeons,Rock Doves,Rock Pigeons,Domestic Pigeon,Dove,Dove, Rock,Doves, Rock,Feral Pigeon,Pigeon,Pigeon, Domestic,Pigeon, Feral,Pigeon, Rock,Pigeons, Domestic,Pigeons, Feral,Pigeons, Rock,Rock Dove,Rock Pigeon
D012055 Reinforcement Schedule A schedule prescribing when the subject is to be reinforced or rewarded in terms of temporal interval in psychological experiments. The schedule may be continuous or intermittent. Reinforcement Schedules,Schedule, Reinforcement,Schedules, Reinforcement
D002110 Caffeine A methylxanthine naturally occurring in some beverages and also used as a pharmacological agent. Caffeine's most notable pharmacological effect is as a central nervous system stimulant, increasing alertness and producing agitation. It also relaxes SMOOTH MUSCLE, stimulates CARDIAC MUSCLE, stimulates DIURESIS, and appears to be useful in the treatment of some types of headache. Several cellular actions of caffeine have been observed, but it is not entirely clear how each contributes to its pharmacological profile. Among the most important are inhibition of cyclic nucleotide PHOSPHODIESTERASES, antagonism of ADENOSINE RECEPTORS, and modulation of intracellular calcium handling. 1,3,7-Trimethylxanthine,Caffedrine,Coffeinum N,Coffeinum Purrum,Dexitac,Durvitan,No Doz,Percoffedrinol N,Percutaféine,Quick-Pep,Vivarin,Quick Pep,QuickPep
D003042 Cocaine An alkaloid ester extracted from the leaves of plants including coca. It is a local anesthetic and vasoconstrictor and is clinically used for that purpose, particularly in the eye, ear, nose, and throat. It also has powerful central nervous system effects similar to the amphetamines and is a drug of abuse. Cocaine, like amphetamines, acts by multiple mechanisms on brain catecholaminergic neurons; the mechanism of its reinforcing effects is thought to involve inhibition of dopamine uptake. Cocaine HCl,Cocaine Hydrochloride,HCl, Cocaine,Hydrochloride, Cocaine
D003216 Conditioning, Operant Learning situations in which the sequence responses of the subject are instrumental in producing reinforcement. When the correct response occurs, which involves the selection from among a repertoire of responses, the subject is immediately reinforced. Instrumental Learning,Learning, Instrumental,Operant Conditioning,Conditionings, Operant,Instrumental Learnings,Learnings, Instrumental,Operant Conditionings
D003913 Dextroamphetamine The d-form of AMPHETAMINE. It is a central nervous system stimulant and a sympathomimetic. It has also been used in the treatment of narcolepsy and of attention deficit disorders and hyperactivity in children. Dextroamphetamine has multiple mechanisms of action including blocking uptake of adrenergics and dopamine, stimulating release of monamines, and inhibiting monoamine oxidase. It is also a drug of abuse and a psychotomimetic. d-Amphetamine,Curban,Dexamfetamine,Dexamphetamine,Dexedrine,Dextro-Amphetamine Sulfate,DextroStat,Dextroamphetamine Sulfate,Oxydess,d-Amphetamine Sulfate,dextro-Amphetamine,Dextro Amphetamine Sulfate,Sulfate, Dextroamphetamine,d Amphetamine,d Amphetamine Sulfate,dextro Amphetamine
D004305 Dose-Response Relationship, Drug The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug. Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D004347 Drug Interactions The action of a drug that may affect the activity, metabolism, or toxicity of another drug. Drug Interaction,Interaction, Drug,Interactions, Drug

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