phenytoin/midazolam on acute, lethal cocaine toxicity

Objective: To evaluate the effects of etomidate, ketamine, phenytoin, and phenytoin/midazolam in a mouse model of acute cocaine toxicity.Methods: We performed a randomized controlled study consisting of five groups (n=25 each) of rats that received intraperitoneal injections of normal saline solution, 5 mg/kg ketamine, 7.5 mg/kg etomidate, 40 mg/kg phenytoin, and 40 mg/kg phenytoin and 2 mg/kg midazolam 10 minutes before cocaine hydrochloride (105 mg/kg). Following cocaine administration, a blinded observer watched the animals for 30 minutes to assess seizures (popcorn jumping, tonic-clonic activity, or loss of righting reflex), and lethality for 30 minutes.Results: The number of animals with seizures was lower in the etomidate (60%), phenytoin (40%), and phenytoin/midazolam (40%) groups (P<0.001). The etomidate (24%) and phenytoin/midazolam (16%) treatments were most effective in preventing lethality (P