Drug Interactions Between Disulfiram and α-Methyldopa and Related Agents in Reserpine-Pretreated Rats

Summary In these experiments rats are reserpinized, and it is demonstrated that α-methyldopa reverses the tyramine pressor response blockade by reserpine. Diethyldithiocarbamic acid will inhibit the reversal process by a-methyldopa- a-methyldopamine, dopamine, and dopa. Disulfiram inhibits the reversal process of a-methyldopa and dopa. Disulfiram or diethyldithiocarbamic acid alone will not inhibit the tyramine response. Diethyldithiocarbamic acid is most potent of the two agents used in inhibiting the reversal process. Addendum: Musacchio, J. M., Bhagat, B., Jackson, C. J. and Kopin, I. J., J. Pharmacol., 1966 vl52, 293, have used nearly the same technique to show inhibition by disulfiram of the restoration by dopamine and α-methyldopamine of the response to tyramine in reserpine-treated cats.