Flavor enhances the antidipsogenic effect of naloxone

Naloxone suppressed ingestion of tap water following a 15 hour deprivation at doses of 20, 10 and 5 mg/kg. Addition of saccharine (0.2%), saline (0.8%), sucrose (2%) and HCl (0.1 M) to tap water resulted in an increased sensitivity to naloxone-induced suppression of water intake following the 15 hour deprivation. The volume of quinine solution (0.1%) consumed was not altered by administration of naloxone. We suggest that naloxone suppresses drinking behavior due to alterations in taste perception.