Acamprosate decreases the induction of tolerance and physical dependence in morphine-treated mice.

The effects of acamprosate, a drug thought to interact with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the central nervous system (CNS), were examined on the antinociceptive action of morphine, induction of tolerance to and physical dependence on morphine, and expression of the abstinence syndrome to the opiate in mice. For the induction of tolerance and dependence, morphine (300 mg/kg) was administered by means of a slow-release preparation. Single doses of acamprosate (50, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg) administered 30 min before a test dose of morphine did not change the antinociceptive effects of morphine in drug-naive mice. The drug was also administered in repeated doses (50, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg, 30 min before and 12 and 24 h after the priming dose of morphine) in order to evaluate its effects on the induction of tolerance; all doses assayed, except the 400 mg/kg, did not affect the intensity of tolerance. The acute administration of acamprosate (50, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg, injected 30 min before naloxone to morphine-pretreated mice) did not affect the intensity of the abstinence behavior. However, the repeated administration of 100 mg/kg of acamprosate (30 min before and 12 and 24 h after the priming dose of morphine) decreased the intensity of physical dependence. The results of these studies suggest that acamprosate may have modulatory effects on glutamatergic neurotransmission participating in the adaptive mechanisms induced by chronic morphine treatment.