Overview
Some research suggests that administration of oxytocin with oxycodone may reduce its abuse liability and improve its ability to reduce pain. In a 6-session laboratory study, we will be evaluating the effects of oxycodone and oxytocin (combined and separately, across sessions) on experimentally-induced pain, subjective effects, and decision-making.
Description
The overall project goals are to determine oxytocin effects on oxycodone's subject-rated abuse liability, and experimental pain. Generally healthy individuals (determined via medical history review and a screening session) will, after informed consent, self-administer intranasal oxytocin (or placebo, containing the same ingredients but no oxytocin) shortly after oral oxycodone or placebo in a non-residential, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, within-subjects laboratory study. Prescreening will assure drug application safety and, using a validated, comprehensive pain history interview, determine previous or existing chronic pain conditions, including current pain medication use.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Individuals fluent in English will participate.
- Must report some experience with opioids (e.g., oxycodone, defined as use at least once in the subject's lifetime).
- Be within 20% of their ideal body weight.
- Are not currently experiencing chronic pain (pain on most days during the past 3 months)
- Have a systolic blood pressure of <=140 and diastolic blood pressure of <= 90, and a heart rate <= 90 beats per minute.
- Participants must also have a normal electrocardiogram (EKG) reading and bloodwork indicating no major health contraindications.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Significant current physical disease or major (uncontrolled) psychiatric disorder.
- No self-reported current interest in drug abuse treatment.
- Women who are pregnant or nursing.
- Any severe comorbid illicit substance use disorders or current clinically significant withdrawal for any abused drug excluding nicotine and caffeine.