Effects of chlordiazepoxide, amitriptyline, imipramine, and their combinations on avoidance behaviour in mice.

Chlordiazepoxide, imipramine, and amitriptyline, given alone or in combination, were tested in mice subjected to 5 daily 100-trial avoidance sessions in the shuttle-box. When the drugs were given alone, chlordiazepoxide and the lower doses of imipramine facilitated avoidance behaviour. The higher doses of the two antidepressants impaired avoidance behaviour. Mixtures of chlordiazepoxide and imipramine produced some facilitating effects, while depressant effects prevailed in the chlordiazepoxide-amitriptyline combinations.