Effects of parenteral morphine and oral methadone on self-stimulation in the rat

Abstract

Facilitation of self-stimulation has been reported following the administration of various opiates. Methadone, a synthetic narcotic used in the treatment of narcotic addiction, has recently been demonstrated to facilitate self-stimulation when administered parenterally. The present study examined the effects of orally administered methadone (20 and 30 mg/kg), the route of administration used clinically, on MFB-LH self-stimulation at 2.5, 5, 8, 12, 17, and 24 hours post-administration. Reliable facilitation was observed at 2.5 hours post-administration. However, the effect of methadone was less pronounced than that observed with a dose of parenteral morphine which was approximately equivalent in terms of analgesic potency.