The protective effects of methysergide, 6-hydroxydopamine and other agents on the toxicity of amphetamine, phentermine, MDA, PMA, and STP in mice.

The ability of various drugs to prevent the lethal effects of 4-methoxyamphetamine (PMA) and 3, 4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) were reduced by pretreatment with phentolamine and 6-hydroxydopamine suggesting that release of norepinephrine from peripheral adrenergic nerves contributed to their toxicity. Pretreatment with methysergide reduced the lethal effects of (+)- and (-)-amphetamine, MDA, PMA and 2, 5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (STP) suggesting that an action on serotonergic receptors contributed to their toxicity. Pretreatment with 4-chloroamphetamine, practolol and haloperidol did not alter the lethal effects of the agents studied.