Inhibition of foot intake in the rat

The effects of single oral administrations of tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine and desipramine), an atypical antidepressant (nomifensine), known anorexic agents, haloperidol, and diazepam on food intake were compared in Sprague-Dawley rats over a 4-day test period. The tricyclic antidepressants produced decreases in food intake during the total 4-day test period following their administration. In contrast, the anorexic agents (d-amphetamine, cocaine, mazindol, fenfluramine and quipazine), and nomifensine, and haloperidol produced decreases in food intake only on their administration. Diazepam produced an increase in food intake only on the day of its decrease food intake, this model appears to show some specificity for tricyclic antidepressants.