Behavioral-Pharmacological Studies on Doxepin, a tricyclic psychotropic agent. 3. Effects of consecutive administration of doxepin and diazepam on both approach-withdrawal and approach-avoidance responses in rats

Abstract

Doxepin, one of tricyclic antidepressants was examined as to whether or not it possesses a diazepam-like effect. Water-deprived rats were tested in an apparatus where they drank water under two kinds of conflict schedules. A clear diazepam-like effect was observed after long term administration of doxepin in the approach-withdrawal conflict schedule, although the potency was weaker than that of diazepam. In approach-avoidance conflict schedule a slight effect only was exhibited after doxepin. No marked sign was detected in the experiments after withdrawal of daily administration of doxepin. © 1972, The Japanese Pharmacological Society. All rights reserved.