COMPARATIVE ABUSE LIABILITY OF SERTRALINE, ALPRAZOLAM, AND DEXTROAMPHETAMINE IN HUMANS

Sertraline is an effective antidepressant acting as a selective seroto nin reuptake inhibitor. The subjective and behavioral effects of sertr aline were studied and compared with the effects of alprazolam and dex troamphetamine in a within-subject, randomized, double-blind study in 20 volunteers aged 18 to 46 years. These subjects were experienced but nondependent users of central nervous system depressants who had the ability to reliably distinguish secobarbital, 150 mg, from placebo and to report positive subjective effects of secobarbital in an experimen tal setting. The following drug conditions were tested: sertraline, 10 0 and 200 mg; alprazolam, 1 mg; dextroamphetamine, 10 mg; and placebo. Drug effects were assessed with an objective test of psychomotor perf ormance, subject-rated questionnaires, and observer-rated scales. Both alprazolam and dextroamphetamine were distinguishable from placebo on most measures, but sertraline produced effects discernable from place bo on only a few measures. At 1 hour postdrug administration, dextroam phetamine and alprazolam produced positive effects on several measures of elation, euphoria, and drug liking greater than placebo and both d oses of sertraline. In contrast, sertraline produced higher scores on measures of dysphoria and physical unpleasantness than did the other d rug conditions. Observer ratings of satisfaction with the drug and oth er pharmacologic effects were consistent with these findings. Results from this study indicate that sertraline, at the doses tested, does no t possess the behavioral effects profile considered to be indicative o f abuse potential when compared with alprazolam and dextroamphetamine.