levorphanol and Alcoholism

Acetaminophen, a commonly used medication, is present in many over-the-counter remedies. In recent years, its potential to cause severe liver injury has been increasingly appreciated. Chronic abusers of alcohol may be particularly susceptible to hepatotoxicity from acetaminophen. We report two cases of unintentional liver injury associated with ingestion of Nyquil, a liquid cold remedy containing acetaminophen and 25% alcohol.

Topics: Acetaminophen; Adult; Alcoholism; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Dextromethorphan; Doxylamine; Drug Combinations; Ephedrine; Female; Humans; Levorphanol; Liver; Male; Middle Aged; Necrosis; Nonprescription Drugs; Promethazine; Pseudoephedrine; Pyridines

Topics: Acetaminophen; Adult; Alcoholism; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Dextromethorphan; Doxylamine; Drug Combinations; Ephedrine; Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Levorphanol; Male; Nonprescription Drugs; Promethazine; Pseudoephedrine; Pyridines

Male rats chronically intoxicated with ethanol for at least two days were tolerant to the ethanol-induced stimulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Chronically intoxicated rats also were tolerant to stimulation of this axis by levorphanol but not by amphetamine or ether. In a similar manner, animals treated with levorphanol for two days were tolerant to stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis by either levorphanol or ethanol. These observations provide further support for the hypothesis that endogenous opioids may be involved in the development of tolerance to ethanol.

Topics: Alcoholism; Animals; Corticosterone; Drug Tolerance; Endorphins; Ethanol; Humans; Levorphanol; Male; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Sucrose