Effect of nimodipine, diltiazem and BAY K 8644 on the behavioural and neurochemical changes associated with naloxone-precipitated withdrawal in the rat. A comparison with clonidine.

ABSTRACT

1. Nimodipine, diltiazem and BAY K 8644 decreased the incidence of wet dog shakes, teeth chattering, grooming and diarrhoea to a similar degree of clonidine. 2. Nimodipine, diltiazem and BAY K 8644 had no effect on changes in the serotonin metabolism induced by naloxone precipitated abstinence syndrome. 3. Clonidine decreased the ratio of serotonin turnover in the brain of morphine-dependent rats. 4. From these experiments it is concluded that nimodipine, diltiazem and BAY K 8644 exert their effects in preventing morphine withdrawal symptoms through a mechanism independent of the serotonergic system.