Enhancement of behavioral effect and acute toxicity of methamphetamine by quinine in rats

Abstract

The behavioral effect and acute toxicity of methamphetamine were tested alone and in combination with quinine in rats. Quinine prolonged and increased the effect of methamphetamine. The enhancement of methamphetamine-induced stereotyped behavior was very marked when quinine was given prior to or simultaneously with methamphetamine. However, the time for onset of methamphetamine-induced stereotyped behavior was not affected by quinine. The mortality of methamphetamine was also potentiated markedly by quinine. The enhancement of the behavioral effect and the toxicity of methamphetamine may be due to inhibition of the metabolism of methamphetamine by quinine.