• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.232-238
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• 1996

The physical dependence potency of DA-5018, a non-narcotic analgesic agent, was tested in mice dosed with 0.5 and 4 mg/kg/day for 2 months and daily increasing doses of 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg/kg over 10 days. Physical dependence was assessed taking natural withdrawal induced morphine-type abstinence (jumping, falling, biting or backward locomotion, rearing etc.) as well as barbiturates-type abstinence (body weight reduction, convulsion, ataxia etc.) into consideration. The results were compared with those after the same daily increasing doses of morphine. DA-5018 did not show evidence of physical dependence liability or abuse potential as measured by morphine-type or barbiturate-type abstinence signs following daily increasing or 2-month repeated administration. On the other hand, daily increasing doses of morphine produced physical dependence and the dependent state disappeared about 6 hours after the start of withdrawal signs. In the single dose suppression test, a single dose of morphine completely suppressed natural withdrawal signs that appeared in morphine-dependent animals. Therefore, these results indicate that DA-5018 does not have abuse potential and physical dependence liability.