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Effects of the contraceptive pill on sedative responses to clonidine and apomorphine in normal women

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

J. S. Chalmers ,
I. Fulli-Lemaire  and
P. J. Cowen
J. S. Chalmers
Affiliation:
University Department of PsychiatryMRC Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Research Unit, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
I. Fulli-Lemaire
Affiliation:
University Department of PsychiatryMRC Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Research Unit, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
P. J. Cowen*
Affiliation:
University Department of PsychiatryMRC Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Research Unit, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
*
2Address for correspondence: Dr P. J. Cowen, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford OX4 4XN.
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Synopsis

In normal women sedation following intravenous administration of the α2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine (1·3 μg/kg) was significantly greater following 3 weeks' continuous treatment with the combined contraceptive pill than at the end of the 7-day withdrawal period. In contrast, sedative responses to the dopamine agonist apomorphine (5 μg/kg subcutaneously) were decreased when subjects were taking the contraceptive pill. These findings are in agreement with animal experimental studies, indicating that oestrogen can alter α-adrenoceptor and dopamine autoreceptor sensitivity. Such interactions may be involved in the effects of female sex steroids on mood.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 15 , Issue 2 , May 1985 , pp. 363 - 367
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1985

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