Respiratory effects of amantadine and bromocriptine and their interaction with haloperidol in anesthetized rats

Amantadine and bromocriptine and caused a dose-related respiratory stimulation in anesthetized rats; in the case of bromocriptine, the highest dose used induced a stimulatory response which was preceded by a decrease in respiratory frequency. The effects were markedly counteracted by the previous administration of haloperidol. It is proposed that the dopaminergic system is involved, at least in part, in the respiratory action of amantadine and bromocriptine.