Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 24, 2026

A Method for Evaluating the Reinforcing Properties of Ethanol in Rats without Water Deprivation, Saccharin Fading or Extended Access Training
Published on: January 29, 2017
5-HT3 antagonist ICS 205-930 enhances naltrexone's effects on ethanol intake
Molina Mhatre1, Ravindar Pruthi, Kenneth Hensley
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 800, N.E. 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73190-3000, USA. Molina-Mhatre@mail.omrf.ouhsc.edu
Abstract:
Opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone has shown some efficacy in decreasing ethanol consumption in humans. However, naltrexone treatment is not always efficacious and produces several aversive effects such as nausea, anxiety and weight loss. Serotonin-3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonists also modulate some of the behavioral effects of alcohol and may decrease alcohol consumption. We examined the effects of the combination of 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ICS 205-930 ((3-tropanyl-indole-1-carboxylate, tropisetron) and naltrexone on ethanol and food intake in Sprague-Dawley rats. Both naltrexone (0.56-10 mg/kg) and ICS 205-930 (5.6 mg/kg), when administered intraperitoneally 30 min before the scheduled 3-h access to ethanol, significantly suppressed ethanol intake. Naltrexone (1 mg/kg) when given in combination with ICS 205-930 (5.6 mg/kg) was significantly more efficacious in suppressing ethanol intake in comparison with naltrexone (1 mg/kg) administered alone. The drug combination did not affect the food intake. These data suggest that 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ICS 205-930 may be used as an effective adjunct for pharmacotherapy of alcoholism.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
Drug-Receptor Interaction: Antagonist
Antagonists can be classified as competitive or noncompetitive based on their...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...

