| Augmentation of
Analgesic Effect of Ibuprofen by Alprazolam in
Experimental Model of Pain
T.
DOLEŽAL, M. KRŠIAK
Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of
Medicine, Charles University, Prague,
Czech Republic
Received April 18, 2001
Accepted July 10, 2001
Summary
The reports of analgesic effects of
benzodiazepines are inconsistent. There is
evidence of a hyperalgesic effect induced by
activation of supraspinal GABAA receptors and an
antinociceptive effect induced by activation of
receptors located in the spinal cord (dorsal
horns). The aim of the study was to discover
whether the systemic administration of a
benzodiazepine agent alprazolam increases the
systemic analgesic efficacy of non-opioid
analgesic ibuprofen. Experimental studies
combining these agents have not yet been
published. We used three experimental methods -
writhing test (with acetic acid), tail-flick test
and plantar test to assess analgesic action. The
drugs were administered orally. Augmentation of
the analgesic effect of ibuprofen by alprazolam
was proved for the writhing test at a dose of 30
mg/kg of ibuprofen and alprazolam 1 mg/kg. The
reaction time of the combination was
significantly prolonged in comparison with
ibuprofen alone. The results of the tail-flick
test and plantar test were negative. The effect
of ibuprofen was not enhanced by alprazolam in
tests of acute thermal pain. Our results have
demonstrated that the analgesic action of
ibuprofen is only weakly enhanced by alprazolam.
Key
words
Alprazolam
· Benzodiazepines · Ibuprofen · g-aminobutyric
acid (GABA) · Pain · Writhing · Tail-flick
Reprint
requests
T. Doležal, M.D., Department of Pharmacology,
Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University,
Ruská 87, 100 34 Prague, Czech Republic. tel:
02/67102530. e-mail: Tomas.Dolezal@lf3.cuni.cz
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