Interaction between phencyclidine (PCP) and GABA-ergic drugs: clinical implications.

Pretreatment (IP) of mice with (-) baclofen, muscimol, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo (S,4-c) pyridin-3-ol hydrate (THIP), aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA) or gamma-acetylenic GABA caused a dose-dependent inhibition of thelocomotor stimulant effect of phencyclidine (PCP, 8 mg/kg). Although (-) baclofen was found to be the most effective PCP antagonist, its (+) isomer was inactive. The maximum blocking effect of AOAA was seen in animals treated 3 and 6 hr earlier. Except for gamma-acetylenic GABA, none of these drugs significantly blocked the locomotor stimulant effect of d-amphetamine (3 mg/kg, IP). Diazepam reduced d-amphetamine response, but failed to influence PCP-induced stimulation. The locomotor stimulant effect of PCP, unlike that of d-amphetamine, may be the result of a specific GABA antagonistic effect at certain dopamine-rich areas of the brain. It seems that (-) baclofen may prove to be useful in the management of PCP intoxication. Administration of higher doses of PCP (20 and 50 mg/kg) in mice pretreated with (-) baclofen resulted in the development of surgical anesthesia manifested as the loss of a) righting reflex, b) pain sensation and c) corneal reflex. The duration of the general anesthetic response was found to be a function of the doses of both (-) baclofen and PCP. The possible use of (-) baclofen as an adjuvant to general anesthetic is discussed.