Powerful behavioral interactions between methamphetamine and morphine

Abstract

Use of drugs of abuse in combination is common among recreational users and addicts. The combination of a psychomotor stimulant with an opiate, known as a ‘speedball’, reportedly produces greater effects than either drug alone and has been responsible for numerous deaths. Historically, the most popular speedball combination is that of cocaine and heroin. However, with the growing popularity of methamphetamine in recent years, there has been increased use of this drug in combination with other drugs of abuse, including opiates. Despite this, relatively little research has examined interactions between methamphetamine and opiates. In the current research, behavioral interactions between methamphetamine and the prototypical opiate, morphine, were examined across a variety of dose combinations in Sprague-Dawley rats. The combination of methamphetamine and morphine produced stimulation of behavior that was dramatically higher than either drug alone; however, the magnitude of the interaction was dependent on the dose of the drugs and the specific behaviors examined. The results demonstrate complex behavioral interactions between these drugs, but are consistent with the idea that this combination is used because it produces a greater effect than either drug alone.

Emerging Drug Use Trends in Kelantan, Malaysia

“…While specific pharmacological effects of opioids and ATS are distinct (Koob and Bloom 1988), both types of drugs are highly addictive, with overlapping effects on brain reward circuitry and systems involved in regulating executive function, motivation, and affective/emotional states (Ersche and Sahakian 2007;Trujillo, Smith, and Guaderrama 2011). The combination of an opioid and a psychostimulant (e.g., amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine) is popularly referred to as a "speedball."…”

“…The combination of an opioid and a psychostimulant (e.g., amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine) is popularly referred to as a "speedball." People who use this combination report that it produces increased or unique pleasurable effects compared to either drug alone, or reduces the adverse effects of one of the drugs (Leri, Bruneau, and Stewart 2003;Trujillo, Smith, and Guaderrama 2011). While cooccurring use of opioids and ATS has become prevalent in the U.S. and across Asia (McKetin et al 2008;Pilowsky et al 2011;UNODC 2012), the synergistic effects and increased toxicity of the combination have not been extensively evaluated in humans.…”

“…While cooccurring use of opioids and ATS has become prevalent in the U.S. and across Asia (McKetin et al 2008;Pilowsky et al 2011;UNODC 2012), the synergistic effects and increased toxicity of the combination have not been extensively evaluated in humans. However, the synergistic behavioral effects of ATS and opioids and increased toxicity associated with the combination have been found in laboratory studies in rats (Funahashi et al 1988;Ginawi, Al-Shabanah, and Bakheet 1997;Namiki et al 2005;Trujillo, Smith, and Guaderrama 2011). Additionally, the combined use of these two classes of drugs may exacerbate the disease progression and interfere with recovery efforts (Volkow, Koob, and McLellan 2016).…”

Opioid pharmacotherapy: Treatment, regimes, constructions and control

“…Combined administration of opiates and stimulants is favoured among many substance dependent patients. The combination results in desired subjective effects (Trujillo, Smith, & Guaderrama, 2011). Both drugs increase extracellular synaptic dopamine levels and in combination produce greater effects than either drug alone.…”

Surveillance of abused drugs in forensic autopsy cases in Norway

“…However, we cannot exclude the possibility of new polydrug mixtures being available on the illegal market. Reduced toxicity of drug combinations could probably reduce overdose mortality (17). Thus, changed drug patterns could reflect prolonged survival periods for illicit drug users.…”