Benztropine pretreatment does not affect responses to acute cocaine administration in human volunteers

Benztropine (Cogentin((R))) was evaluated for its ability to block cocaine's physiological and subjective effects in humans. In healthy, recreational users of cocaine, placebo, or benztropine (1, 2, and 4 mg orally) was given 2 hr before subjects self-administered 0.9 mg/kg of cocaine intranasally. Measurements were made for 2 hr following cocaine administration, and plasma cocaine and cocaine metabolites were assayed. Cocaine produced typical increases in heart rate and alterations in self-reports measured by visual analog scales (VAS). Benztropine alone did not produce changes on any of these measures. Responses to cocaine with and without benztropine pretreatment were similar: benztropine did not change cocaine's effects. This study of one of the tropane-ring analogs that is approved for human use suggests this compound does not alter cocaine-induced effects, but just as importantly, does not produce any adverse behavioral or physiological effects. The exact therapeutic application of benztropine as a possible adjunct treatment for cocaine abuse in humans require further exploration. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.