Propofol pretreatment induced place preference and self-administration of the tiletamine-zolazepam combination: implication on drug of abuse substitution

Abstract

Background: Propofol and the tiletamine-zolazepam combination are anesthetics with both sedative-hypnotic and hallucinogenic effects. In South Korea, propofol is controlled while the tiletamine-zolazepam combination is not. Thus, there is a possibility that this drug combination might be used as a substitute drug by propofol-abusers. Objective: In the present study we evaluated whether repeated pre-exposure to propofol predisposes to the use/abuse of the tiletamine-zolazepam combination. Methods: Rats (8–10 animals/group) were pre-treated with saline (control) or propofol at different dosages (10, 30, 60 mg/kg, i.p.), for 14 days, then conditioned place preference (CPP) and self-administration (SA) for the tiletamine-zolazepam combination were evaluated. Results: Rats pretreated with saline exhibited neither CPP nor SA for the tiletamine-zolazepam combination. On the other hand, rats pretreated with propofol, in all dosages, demonstrated significant CPP and SA for the tiletamine-zolazepam combination. Conclusion: These results suggest that tiletamine-zolazepam combinations might be used as a “substitute drug” by abusers of propofol. The careful use, dispensation, and monitoring of tiletamine-zolazepam combinations are advocated.

• Conditioned place preference
• propofol
• self-administration
• tiletamine
• zolazepam
• Zoletil

Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by Sahmyook University.