Effect of acute methadone withdrawal on prostaglandin E-stimulated 3H-cyclic adenosine monophosphate accumulation in human platelets

Abstract
The effect of acute methadone withdrawal was studied on PGE1(prostaglandin E1)-sensitive platelet adenylate cyclase of 8 former heroin addicts who were stabilized with methadone. During acute methadone withdrawal there was a significant increase in PGE1-sensitive platelet adenylate cyclase activity, which correlated with the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Apparently PGE1-sensitive adenylate cyclase and cAMP are involved in the human addictive process.