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Review
. 2006 Jul;73(1):90-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2006.01.010. Epub 2006 Feb 23.

Abuse liability, behavioral pharmacology, and physical-dependence potential of opioids in humans and laboratory animals: lessons from tramadol

David H Epstein  1 , Kenzie L Preston, Donald R Jasinski
Affiliations
Review

Abuse liability, behavioral pharmacology, and physical-dependence potential of opioids in humans and laboratory animals: lessons from tramadol

David H Epstein et al. Biol Psychol. 2006 Jul.

Abstract

Assessment of abuse potential of opioid analgesics has a long history in both laboratory animals and humans. This article reviews the methods used in animals and in humans and then presents the data collected in the evaluation of tramadol, an atypical centrally acting opioid analgesic approved for marketing in the United States in 1998. Finally, data on the abuse of tramadol from postmarketing surveillance and case reports are presented. The consistency between animal and human study results and the predictive value of both are discussed. Overall, there was substantial agreement between animal and human data, with each having predictive value. Nonetheless, it is suggested that abuse-potential screening of new medications would benefit from an organized, integrated cross-species program.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean area under the curve scores produced by intravenously administered tramadol, morphine, and saline placebo on “Liking” and MBG scale scores in 10 experienced opioid abusers. Brackets indicate one half of Fisher’s Least Significant Difference.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Maximum effects (left panel) and time to maximum effect (right panel) of orally administered tramadol, oxycodone, and placebo on pupil diameter, and “Feel drug,” and “Liking” scores in 12 experienced opioid abusers. Brackets indicate one half of Fisher’s Least Significant Difference.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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