RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Plasma testosterone levels in heroin addiction and during methadone maintenance.
JF Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
JO J Pharmacol Exp Ther
FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
SP 211
OP 217
VO 192
IS 1
A1 J H Mendelson
A1 J E Mendelson
A1 V D Patch
YR 1975
UL http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/192/1/211.abstract
AB Heroin use was consistently associated with low plasma testosterone levels in narcotic addicts. Heroin addicts maintained on high dosage methadone (80-150 mg/day) also had depressed testosterone levels. Patients on low dosage methadone maintenance (10-60 mg/day) had testosterone levels which were not significant;y different from normal adult male controls. An inverse relationship between methadone dosage and plasma testosterone occurred during methadone detoxification. These findings indicate that heroin and methadone alter male androgen levels with possible derivative effects upon sexual and aggressive behaviors.