Diuretic action of the narcotic antagonist oxilorphan

The narcotic antagonists oxilorphan and d,l-cyclazocine increased urinary output without affecting fluid intake in 10 subjects on ad libitum fluids. In 8 water-deprived subjects oxilorphan increased urinary output and decreased urine osmolality without significantly altering blood pressure, creatinine clearance, electrolyte excretion, or solute excretion. Three of 4 water-loaded subjects excreted a water load slightly more efficiently after the drug. Ten milligrams o f naloxone had no diuretic effect itself and did not antagonize the diuretic effect o f oxilorphan. Five units o f vasopressin prevented the drug-induced diuresis. These results suggest that the diuretic effect is an agonistic action of oxilorphan produced by inhibition of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) release.