Ziprasidone pretreatment attenuates the lethal effects of cocaine in a mouse model.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cocaine intoxication is a common cause of agitation in emergency department patients. Ziprasidone, an atypical antipsychotic, is being increasingly used for sedation of agitated patients in the emergency department. OBJECTIVES: To provide preliminary animal data on the efficacy of ziprasidone for the treatment of acute cocaine poisoning. METHODS: This was a randomized, blinded comparison of ziprasidone and placebo for the prevention of seizures and apparent lethality in a mouse model of cocaine intoxication. Animals were assigned to either placebo or 0.4 mg/kg or 1.2 mg/m(2) of ziprasidone intraperitoneally 30 minutes prior to administration of 105 mg/kg of cocaine. Study outcomes were the proportions of animals having seizures and the apparent lethality. RESULTS: 1.2 mg/m(2) of ziprasidone decreased the lethal effects of cocaine by 50%, while 0.4 mg/kg decreased lethality by 13%. There was no effect on seizures at either dose. CONCLUSIONS: Ziprasidone pretreatment decreased lethality in this mouse model of severe cocaine intoxication.