The effect of antidepressants and “tranquillizers” on the response of mice to ethanol

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The techniques and apparatus used for investigation of the interaction of various psychotropic drugs with ethanol in mice are described. The parameters measured were (a) length of loss of righting reflexes; (b) continuous coma; (c) subjects remaining in coma 12 hr after dosing; (d) changes in toxicity.2. The following drugs were tested: amitriptyline, trimipramine, imipramine, nortriptyline, desipramine, thioridazine, phenelzine, methylphenidate, chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine, phenobarbitone, and diazepam. The total number of mice used was 3,140.3. Imipramine caused no significant changes in the effects of ethanol. Methylphenidate and desipramine protected the mice against ethanol induced coma. All other drugs induced statistically significant potentiation of the depressant and toxic effects of ethanol in mice.4. Late (delayed) deaths after a tricyclic antidepressant have been noted in animals and man.5. It is suggested that the potentiation of alcohol by some psychotropic drugs may add to the hazards of drug overdosage and contribute to traffic accidents. Hence it is necessary to test all psychotropic drugs for interaction with alcohol.