High doses of dextromethorphan, an NMDA antagonist, produce effects similar to classic hallucinogens.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Although reports of dextromethorphan (DXM) abuse have increased recently, few studies have examined the effects of high doses of DXM.

Objective

This study in humans evaluated the effects of supratherapeutic doses of DXM and triazolam.

Methods

Single, acute oral doses of DXM (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 mg/70 kg), triazolam (0.25 and 0.5 mg/70 kg), and placebo were administered to 12 healthy volunteers with histories of hallucinogen use, under double-blind conditions, using an ascending dose run-up design. Subjective, behavioral, and physiological effects were assessed repeatedly after drug administration for 6 h.

Results

Triazolam produced dose-related increases in subject-rated sedation, observer-rated sedation, and behavioral impairme

SUBMITTER: Reissig CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3652430 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature