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Reversal of ethanol intoxication in humans: An assessment of the efficacy of l-dopa, aminophylline, and ephedrine

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Abstract

The effect of postethanol treatment with l-Dopa, aminophylline and/or ephedrine was investigated. In one experiment, healthy, male, moderate drinkers ingested ethanol (0.8 g/kg) and then either l-Dopa (1.5 g), or placebo. In a second experiment, subjects ingested ethanol followed by aminophylline (200 mg), ephedrine (50 mg), aminophylline (200 mg) plus ephedrine (50 mg), or placebo. Double-blind, within-subjects, crossover designs were employed. Treatment with l-Dopa significantly reduced ethanol's effect on the electroencephalogram, motor coordination, and divided attention performance (t-test for paired data). Treatment with aminophylline and/or ephedrine also significantly reduced ethanol's effects on the electroencephalogram and motor coordination. The ethanol-antagonism may result from central noradrenergic stimulation.

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Author notes

  1. E. S. Parker & E. P. Noble

    Present address: the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Rockville, Maryland, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Psychobiology and the School of Social Sciences, University of California, Irvine

    R. L. Alkana, E. S. Parker, H. B. Cohen, H. Birch & E. P. Noble

  2. Pharmaceutical Science Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Avenue, 90033, CA, Los Angeles, USA

    R. L. Alkana, E. S. Parker, H. B. Cohen, H. Birch & E. P. Noble

  3. the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Rockville, Maryland, USA

    R. L. Alkana, H. B. Cohen & H. Birch

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  1. R. L. Alkana
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  2. E. S. Parker
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  3. H. B. Cohen
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  4. H. Birch
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  5. E. P. Noble
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Alkana, R.L., Parker, E.S., Cohen, H.B. et al. Reversal of ethanol intoxication in humans: An assessment of the efficacy of l-dopa, aminophylline, and ephedrine. Psychopharmacology 55, 203–212 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00497849

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