Opioid-Sparing and Pain-Reducing Properties of Syntocinon: A Dose-Effect Determination

Summary

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, the investigators will be evaluating the effects of oxycodone and oxytocin (combined and separately, across sessions) on experimentally-induced pain, subjective effects, decision-making, and activation of different neural substrates.

Detailed Description

The overall project goals are to determine oxytocin effects on oxycodone's subject-rated abuse liability, experimental pain, and to describe the neurobehavioral mechanisms underlying interindividual differences in these effects. 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 MRI eligibility and drug application safety and, using a validated, comprehensive pain history interview, determine previous or existing chronic pain conditions, including current pain medication use.

Eligibility Criteria

Interventions