Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

A Novel Method of Drug Administration to Multiple Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and the Quantification of Withdrawal
Published on: November 12, 2014
Effects of the 5-HT3 antagonist GR38032F (ondansetron) on benzodiazepine withdrawal in rats
1Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, U.K.
Abstract:
Effects of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist GR38032F (ondansetron) on chlordiazepoxide withdrawal were assessed in rats which received chlordiazepoxide b.i.d. for 21 days at doses up to 40 mg/kg per injection. Withdrawal signs recorded were: body weight and food intake, which fell and then recovered over 9 days. Saline or GR38032F (1.0, 0.1 or 0.01 mg/kg) were administered b.i.d. during withdrawal. Clear withdrawal signs were seen in rats treated with saline after chronic chlordiazepoxide. However, GR38032F at 0.1 mg/kg reduced the severity of withdrawal. At 0.01 mg/kg GR38032F shortened withdrawal duration, but did not diminish peak withdrawal signs. At 1.0 mg/kg GR38032F, did not attenuate withdrawal signs at all. GR38032F (0.01-1.0 mg/kg) had no effect on ad lib food intake, therefore the attenuation of withdrawal was probably not simply due to stimulation of appetite. These data support recent claims that GR38032F attenuates benzodiazepine withdrawal, and they indicate that this effect shows an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines
Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. They bind to the GABAA receptor, increasing its affinity for GABA, which opens chloride...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...

