Absence of an Effect of Naloxone on Ethanol Intoxication and Withdrawal Reactions

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Abstract
Experimental and clinical results suggest a relationship between the action of ethanol and opiates. Whether the specific morphine antagonist naloxone (2 mg/kg i.p. every 6 h) affects signs of severe ethanol intoxication or modifies the withdrawal syndrome following chronic ethanol intoxication in rats was tested. Using a double blind technique, no difference between saline treated and naloxone treated animals was found regarding the level of intoxication and severity of withdrawal symptoms. Naloxone apparently does not modify signs of severe ethanol intoxication or change the ethanol withdrawal syndrome in the rat. There may be a biochemical link between actions of ethanol and opiates, but this link is probably not localized at the level of specific drug receptor interaction.